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ANCIENT RECORDS
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ANCIENT RECORDS
Under the General Editorship oj
JAMES HENRY BREASTED
FIRST SERIES
ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA AND BABYLONIA
Edited hy Daniel David Luckenbill
SECOND SERIES
ANCIENT RECORDS OF EGYPT
Edited hy James Henry Breasted
THIRD SERIES
ANCIENT RECORDS OF PALESTINE, PHOENICIA
AND SYRIA
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ANCIENT RECORDS
OF
ASSYRIA AND BABYLONIA
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THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO PRESS
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
/
THE BAKER & TAYLOR COMPANY
NEW YORK
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY OF CANADA, LIMITED
TORONTO
THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS
LONDON
THE MARUZEN-KABUSHIKI-KAISHA
TOKYO, OSAKA, KYOTO, FUKUOKA, SENDAI
THE COMMERCIAL PRESS, LIMITED
SHANGHAI
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ANCIENT RECORDS
OF
ASSYRIA AND BABYLONIA
DANIEL DAVID EJJCKENBILL, Ph.D.
Professor of the Semitic Languages and Literatures
in the University of Chicago
Volume I
HISTORICAL RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO SARGON
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Composed and Printed By
The University of Chicago Press
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
/Q Q
EDITOR’S FOREWORD
These two volumes, containing a complete English
version of the historical records of ancient Assyria, represent
the resumption of a long-interrupted plan for the creation
of a library of the historical documents of the ancient Near
East in English, begun over thirty years ago. The present
writer, returning in 1895 from oriental studies in Europe and
the Near East, found himself entirely without the tools and
instrumentalities for teaching the ancient cultures he was
supposed to represent, especially the Egyptian. The Uni-
versity of Chicago was in 1895 the first and at that time the
only university in America to offer studies in Egyptian
language and civilization. The first task was an obvious one:
to make the historical documents of ancient Egypt accessible
in English. The task consumed ten years. After it had been
going on for some years, the late President William R. Harper
proposed to the writer that the volumes of the Egyptian
records be incorporated in a comprehensive series which
should include the entire ancient Near East. This proposal
was adopted and in October, 1905, the project was announced
in the publications of the University of Chicago Press. It was
to be called “Ancient Records,” to appear in a series of
twenty-three volumes under the general editorship of Presi-
dent William R. Harper. It was to be divided into three sec-
tions: six volumes of Assyrian records to be edited by the
late Professor Robert Francis Harper; five volumes of
Palestinian records under the editorship of President Harper
himself; and twelve volumes of Egyptian sources to be edited
and translated by the present writer.
In 1906 and 1907 the historical documents of Egypt from
vii
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viii EDITOR’S FOREWORD
the earliest times to the loss of Egyptian independence after
the Persian conquest in 525 b.c., a period of about twenty-
five hundred years, were published in five volumes under the
title Ancient Records of Egypt . 1 The public demand for his-
torical documents of this kind is necessarily limited, and
confined chiefly to libraries. Their publication therefore re-
quires a heavy subsidy. After the lamented death of Presi-
dent Harper early in 1906, the project languished. Just be-
fore the outbreak of the world-war, however, we who had
long and deeply regretted the discontinuance of the under-
taking were casting about for means to revive it. Like so
many other scientific projects, these efforts at revival were
submerged in the Great War.
In the spring of 1919 the generosity of Mr. John D.
Rockefeller, Jr., enabled us to organize and begin the work of
the Oriental Institute. Following closely upon the conclusion
of the war, therefore, our interests were absorbed in the de-
velopment of our new Institute which was to mobilize the
old Department of Oriental Languages and transform it into
the investigating staff of a research laboratory. Prominent
in its scientific program, as we desired to see it develop, was
the compilation of an Assyrian-Babylonian Dictionary based
for the first time on all of the known cuneiform documents.
It was placed under the able editorship of Professor D. D.
Luckenbill. The translation of the historical documents of
Assyria into English for incorporation into the Assyrian
Dictionary has made the resumption of the “Ancient Rec-
ords” project an obvious step, while the publication fund
of the Oriental Institute has been able to furnish the needed
subvention.
1 Ancient Records of Egypt: Historical Documents from the Earliest Times to
the Persian Conquest. Collected, edited, and translated by James Henry Breasted.
Vol. I, The First to the Seventeenth Dynasties; Vol. II, The Eighteenth Dynasty; Vol.
Ill, The Nineteenth Dynasty; Vol. IV, The Twentieth to the Twenty-Sixth Dynasties;
Vol. V, Indices. University of Chicago Press, 1906-7.
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EDITOR’S FOREWORD ix
It is with the greatest gratification, therefore, that after
a lapse of twenty years since the first volume appeared, we
find that the resources of the Oriental Institute have made
possible the resumption of the plan for making the historical
records of the ancient Near East available in English. The
continuation of the entire series has been adopted as a part
of the approved program of the Institute, and the production
and publication of the additional volumes will be financially
provided for in its future budget. We venture to hope that
these two volumes comprising the Ancient Records of Assyria ,
presenting for the first time in a single compact edition the
entire body of the Assyrian historical records in a Western
language, may form not only a monument to the careful
scholarship of Professor Luckenbill, but also a valuable con-
tribution to historical knowledge.
James Henry Breasted
Oriental Institute
University op Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
July 3, 1926
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PREFACE
Since the Director of the Oriental Institute has been so
kind as to sketch, in an Editor’s Foreword, the history of the
University of Chicago’s efforts to create a library of English
translations of the documents which have survived from the
ancient Near East, and has indicated the circumstances which
have made possible the resumption of the long-interrupted
plan to publish the Ancient Records of Assyria and Baby-
lonia, there rests upon the author but one prefatory duty —
the pleasant duty of acknowledging the part others have
had in furthering his work.
To Professor Breasted for his untiring efforts in behalf of
this and other “Assyriological” projects of the Oriental
Institute; to Dr. Geers for his patience in performing the
drudgery of compiling the Bibliography, the List of Abbrevia-
tions, and the Index of Proper Names, and for lightening my
labors in many other ways; and to the keeper of the Egyptian
and Assyrian antiquities in the British Museum, Dr. Hall, and
his assistants, Messrs. Smith and Gadd, for their unfailing
courtesy and generous help during the months I was engaged
in the work of collating the published texts with those orig-
inals which are preserved in the British Museum — to these
men I owe much. I ask them to accept this word of deepest
gratitude.
D. D. L.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME I
CHAPIZX WOE
I. Introduction ; x
II. Inscriptions op the Early Rulers; from Ititi to
Adad-nirAri I ii
I. Ititi ii
II. Zariku n
III. Dadum 12
IV. Shalim-ahum 12
V. Ilu-shuma 12
VI. Irishum 12
VU. Ikunum 15
VIII. Samsi-Adad 15
IX. Shamshi-Adad 15
X. Ashir-nirari I 17
XI. Puzur-Ashir IV (?) 18
XII. Ashir-bel-nisheshu 19
XIII. Ashir-rim-nisheshu 19
XIV. Assur-nadin-ahe 19
XV. Erfba-Adad 20
XVI. Assur-ubailit 21
xvn. Arik-den-ilu . 24
III. Inscriptions of Adad-nirari I 27
I. Restoration of the Mushlalu 29
II. Repairs on the South Wall of Assur ... 29
HI. Restoration of the East Wall 30
IV. Restoration of the Quay Wall 31
V. Palace Repairs 32
VI. Restoration of the Temple of Ishtar ... 34
VII. Restoration of the Gate of Anu and Adad . . 35
VIII. Repairs on the Temple of Assur .... 36
IX. Stele Inscription 37
xiii
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xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
IV. Inscriptions of Shalmaneser I 38
I. Rebuilding of the Temple of Eharsagkurkurra
(Historical Introduction) 38
II. Restoration of the Temple of Ishtar of Assur . 45
HI. Restoration of the Court of the Ninevite Ishtar at
Assur 46
IV. Palace Inscription 46
V. Repairs on the Gate of Libur-Shalhi at Assur . 46
VI. Restoration of the Temple of Ishtar at Nineveh 47
VII. Stele Inscription 48
V. Inscriptions of Tukulti-Urta I 49
I. Inscriptions Commemorating the Rebuilding of the
Palace in Assur 5°
II. Repairs on the City Wall and Moat . . . 55
TTT . Inscriptions Commemorating the Founding of the
Suburb of Assur Called Kar-Tukulti-Urta . . 56
IV. Rebuilding of the Temple of the Assyrian Ishtar . 62
V. Restoration of the Temple of Ishtar Dinitu . . 64
VI. Restoration of the Temple of Ishtar Anunaitu . 66
VII. Dedicatory Inscriptions 66
VIII. Bowl Inscriptions from Nineveh .... 67
IX. Inscription on a Stone from the Court of Assur’s
Temple 68
VI. The Successors of Tukulti-Urta I .... 69
I. Assur-nadin-apli 69
H. Assur-resh-ishi 69
VH. Tiglath-pileser I 7 2
I. Prism Inscription (History of First Five Years of
Reign) 7 2
n. Rock Inscriptions 9 1
HI. Rebuilding of the Royal Palace at Assur . . 92
IV. Inscriptions from the Mt-labuni .... 95
V. Rebuilding of the Anu-Adad Temple ... 97
VI. Stele Erected at Assur 100
VII. Vase Inscription of Pirhu-lishir, Servant of Tig-
lath-pileser - 100
VIII. Restoration of the Temple of Ishtar at Nineveh . xoo
IX. Fragments of Texts 103
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TABLE OF CONTENTS xv
CHAPTER *AOE
VIII. The Successors or Tiglath-pileser I . . . .105
I. Urta-apil-Ekur II 105
II. Assur-bel-kala 105
III. Shamshi-Adad IV 106
IV. Eriba-Adad II xo6
V. Assur-nasir-pal I and Shalmaneser n . 107
VI. Assur-resh-ishi II 107
VII. Assur-dan n 107
IX. Adad-nirari II 109
I. The Annals 109
II. Quay- Wall Inscription 117
III. The “Broken Obelisk” Inscription .... 118
IV. Rebuilding of the Palace 124
V. Fragments of Texts 124
X. Tukulti-Urta II 126
I. The Annals 126
II. Building Inscriptions 134
III. Miscellaneous Inscriptions 137
IV. Text of Tukulti-Mer 137
XI. Assur-nasir-pal 138
I. Final Edition of the Annals 138
n. The Standard Inscription 171
III. The Great Monolith 174
IV. The Kurkh Monolith 177
V. Statue Inscription 182
VI. Inscription from the Palace at Calah . . . 183
VII. Inscription from the Wall of Calah . . . 183
VIII. Inscription on Colossi from Calah .... 186
IX. Address to Ishtar on Lion from Calah . . . 190
X. Rebuilding of the Temple of Urta at Calah . . 191
XI. Restoration of the Temple of Ishtar, Queen of
Kidmuri 191
XII. Miscellaneous Building Inscriptions from Calah . 193
xni. Balawat (Imgur-Bel) Inscriptions .... 194
XIV. Building Texts from Nineveh 196
XV. Inscriptions from Assur 198
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xvi TABLE OF CONTENTS
■uni
XII. Shalmaneser in 200
I. The “Black Obelisk” Inscription .... 200
IL The Monolith Inscription 211
HI. The “Bronze Gates of Bali wit” .... 224
IV. Fragments of the Royal Annals . . . .232
V. The Throne Inscription 243
VI. The Statue Inscription 245
Vn. Inscriptions at the Source of the Tigris . . 246
Vni. Miscellaneous Building Inscriptions . . . 249
A. From Assur 249
B. From Calah 252
Xni. ShamshI-Adad V, Sammuramat, Adad-nirAri III and
Assur-nirAri V 253
A. Shamshi-Adad V 253
I. The Monolith Inscription 253
II. Miscellaneous Inscriptions 259
B. Sammuramat (Semiramis) 260
C. Adad-nirAri in 260
I. Saba’a Stele 260
II. The Nimrtid Slab Inscriptions . . . .262
HI. The Inscription on the Nebo Statues . . . 264
IV. Miscellaneous Texts 265
D. Assur-nirari V (treaty with Mati’-ilu) . . . .265
XIV. Tiglath-pileser III and Shalmaneser V 269
A. Inscriptions of Tiglath-pileser III 269
I. The Annals 269
II. Nimrftd Slab Inscription 280
III. Later Inscriptions Containing Historical Sections 282
1. Nimrdd Tablet 282
2. Second NimrM Tablet (DT, 3) 289
3. Second Nimrftd Slab 291
4. Fragmentary Annals’ Text .... 292
5. List of Cities 294
IV. Miscellaneous Inscriptions 294
V. Stele of Bel-Harran-beil-usur 295
B. Shalmaneser V 297
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1. In the rapidly moving modem world our historical
interests, like all of our interests — like the styles of our
clothes — change from year to year, from decade to decade.
To the alarm of the jingo politician and the distress of the
members of many “patriotic” societies, it has been discov-
ered that our school histories have undergone, or are under-
going, a complete metamorphosis. History is not history
any more. Of course, these people are not aware of the fact
that the chief interest of the historian is no longer in battles
and sieges, in the addresses of presidents and the orations of
statesmen, in dynasties and royal family-trees, no, not even
in constitutions, written or unwritten.
2. But even the student who is genuinely interested in
history has some difficulty in keeping up with the times.
Political history and constitutional history have been com-
pelled to yield much of the space they once occupied to what
may be called the social and the economic, or the social-
economic, interpretation of history. And there are not
wanting enthusiasts who would have us view history largely,
if not exclusively, in the light of man’s geographical envi-
ronment. Then again, the evolutionary trend of all modem
learning is compelling the historian not only to trace the de-
velopment of this or that institution through the period in
which he is immediately interested, but to search for its
origins in some earlier historical stage of culture. And last of
all, after having listened attentively to the sociologist, the
political economist, and the geographer, the historian has
been compelled to call in the archaeologist for consultation.
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2 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
We are no longer satisfied with tracing the career of man
through the five thousand years of “written” history, but are
pushing back, in our search for origins, into the long ages of
prehistory, the period before mankind had discovered, in the
written word, the means of perpetuating the memory of
heroic achievement and pious deed. After the appearance of
the first volumes of the Cambridge Ancient History , it is no
longer necessary to spend time in pointing out the strategic
importance of the study of the ancient oriental civilizations
— those of the Nile and the Tigris-Euphrates valleys — in
our endeavor to bridge the gap between prehistory and the
cultures of ancient Greece and Rome, into which our western
civilization strikes its roots.
3. Writing a history of ancient Egypt, Babylonia, or
Assyria which shall conform to the latest canons of historical
science is one thing; translating and editing the records
which are to be used by the critical historian is another.
It does not take much time for the student of the written
records left us by the ancient Egyptians, Sumerians, Baby-
lonians, and Assyrians to discover that those responsible for
these records were not possessed of the prophetic vision
which would have enabled them to foresee the demands to
be made upon them by the historians of the twentieth cen-
tury a.d. The things they thought worth recording were
clearly defined. The Egyptian pharaoh and the Assyrian
king regarded themselves as the viceroys of the god upon
earth. To rule their subjects, to extend their sway to the
farthest ends of the earth, and, in return for the power and
the victories their gods had vouchsafed unto them, to build
temples and maintain their cults, these were the tasks of
kings; these were the deeds worth recording.
4. In Egypt most of the records were engraved upon
steles, obelisks, and temple walls; in Babylonia and Assyria,
upon memorial tablets, prisms and cylinders of clay or
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INTRODUCTION 3
alabaster, upon obelisks and steles, or upon the walls of
palaces and temples. From the Egyptian side we have one
very important addition to these royal documents, namely,
the biographies of the nobles, inscribed upon the walls of their
tombs. But these biographies, while of the utmost impor-
tance to the modem historian, for the light they throw upon
the political and social-economic development of Egypt, were
intended primarily for the eye of the judges of the lower
world. In the early period of the history of the Tigris-Eu-
phrates civilization we find the vassal king or viceroy flatter-
ing his overlord, and, incidentally, perpetuating the memory
of his own name, by dedicating vases and other objects to
the god, “for the life of So-and-So, his lord, and for his own
life.” But in later Assyria the king was the state; and all pub-
lic acts, whether military or otherwise, whether performed by
the king in person or through one of his generals or officials,
were recorded as the achievements or pious deeds of the king
alone. One thing only has kept the names of many a noble
and official of the Assyrian state from being forgotten, the
fact that Assyrian chronology, from beginning to end, em-
ployed the system of limmus or eponymous years. If the
king’s reign was long enough, each of the high officials of the
court and the governors of the provinces would, in his proper
turn, have a year named for him. The accounts of the dig-
ging of canals, the fortification of cities, the building of
temples and palaces, and, above all, of the military cam-
paigns and hunting expeditions of the kings must receive the
lion’s share of the space to be allotted to any collection of
ancient records of Assyria and Babylonia, simply because
these were the things the ancients considered most worthy of
remembrance and took measures to see that they would be
remembered. Furthermore, these documents furnish the only
means for arranging and studying the events in the life of the
people of the ancient world in their chronological sequence,
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4 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
and surely no one would yet think of dispensing with such an
arrangement. After all, while we admit that the political side
of the history of different civilizations has been, and may still
be, overemphasized, nevertheless we have not yet begun to
write the history of cultures which have had no political
life.
5. However, the annals of the kings and their building in-
scriptions (in Assyria these were almost always combined into
one document) are not the only sources at our disposal for
the study of the history, the life, of the ancient inhabitants of
the lower valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates, the people
whom we know as Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and
Assyrians. Owing to the fact that the Sumerians, perhaps
before the middle of the fourth millennium B.c., hit upon
clay as a suitable material on which to draw in rude outlines
the pictures which formed their earliest written records, we
have at our disposal today an enormous number of written
documents illustrating every phase of their life, as well as
that of their successors. The cuneiform script, impressed
upon clay tablets, comes as close to being imperishable as
any writing we can conceive of. Thousands of cuneiform
documents have outlived the monumentum aere perennius and
records “graven in the rock with an iron pen and lead.” The
writing material was cheap, which may account in part for
the fact that the ancient Sumerians, Babylonians, and As-
syrians seemed unwilling to transact even the smallest item
of business without recourse to the written document. Sys-
tematized accounts of the income and expenditure of the
palace and the temple, marriage and adoption contracts,
records of the settlement of estates, leases of houses or lands,
deeds and mortgages, promises to repay loans, with or with-
out interest, receipts — business and legal records of all kinds
— these, together with the law codes from Babylonia and
Assyria, furnish all the materials which the most ardent
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INTRODUCTION 5
exponent of the social-economic interpretation of history
could hope for.
6 . The letters, written in the cuneiform, which passed
between the kings and their officials, between the kings of
different countries, or between private individuals, are well
represented in the collections in the museums of Europe and
America and add many an important detail to the political
as well as to the social and economic phases of ancient ori-
ental history.
7. The more distinctly literary remains of this civilization
are in large measure religious. On the one hand, we have
myths, legends, and epics; on the other, hymns, prayers,
lamentations, liturgies, and rituals. Closely related to these
groups are a few survivals of speculative, or wisdom, liter-
ature, a category apparently much less familiar to the
Sumerian and eastern Semites than to the Egyptians and the
Hebrews. This has seemed strange to some students of the
early civilizations, but the explanation is not hard to find.
The ancient Egyptian and Hebrew sages found society cor-
rupt and the physical universe cruel and relentless. Suffer-
ing seemed to be the lot of humankind, more particularly of
the just and righteous man. To some death as release seemed
the only solution; to others a gleam of hope lay in a new
order to be ushered in on earth by god himself or his repre-
sentative. To humor the mighty and to keep an eye on your
neighbor would help in bringing you through this vale of
tears without too much inconvenience.
8. The Babylonian, on the other hand, seemed to have
been convinced that the universe could be understood and
mastered. Now it is true that much of what he regarded as
mastery through knowledge was nothing more than a highly
refined magic, but nevertheless he did acquire, through pa-
tient observation, a remarkable knowledge of the stars; of
plants, drugs, and stones; of diseases and their cures. The
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6 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
lot of the common man in Babylonia was much less oppres-
sive than that of the peasant serf in Egypt. This was due, in
large measure, to the fact that the Babylonian wise man, who
was also the priest, seemed able, all through Babylonian and
Assyrian history, to instil the “fear of god” in the hearts of
the ruling classes. The Egyptian, with his firm belief in a
blessed hereafter, was probably ready to endure many hard-
ships in this life in the hope of future felicity. The Baby-
lonian, however, was just as certain that the future existence
was anything but desirable, and that any happiness which
was to come to him must come in this life. And he set about
to get it.
9. It has seemed to the translator that the written records
of the Assyrians and Babylonians which have survived fall
quite naturally into fairly distinct groups, and that a col-
lection of these documents which would be of most use to the
historian and student of ancient civilization might be gath-
ered into the following volumes of “Ancient Records of As-
syria and Babylonia”: Volumes I and II, Assyrian Historical
Inscriptions (including the building inscriptions) ; Volume III,
Babylonian Historical Inscriptions; Volume IV, Ancient Law
and Business (based on the law codes and selected business
and legal documents from all periods of Assyrian and Baby-
lonian history) ; Volume V, Literary and Religious Texts; and
Volume VI, Letters , Official and Private.
10. The earliest records which we have from Assyria are
dedicatory inscriptions. This or that temple had been built
or repaired, a vase or inscribed tablet had been presented to
the god, by So-and-So, for his life and for the life, or welfare,
of his city. This way of doing is distinctly Sumerian — indeed,
the excavations at Assur (Kalat-Sherkat) have shown a pre-
ponderating Sumerian influence in the earliest stages of the
Assyrian culture. But while the Sumerian and Babylonian
rulers studiously refused to allow anything except their pious
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INTRODUCTION 7
deeds to appear in the dedicatory inscriptions, the Assyrian
rulers early began to add accounts of their military exploits,
and occasionally a detail or two of their domestic policy.
In the course of time these additions came to form the bulk
of the inscription, an address to the god, or gods, serving as an
introduction, and a brief account of the building or rebuilding
of some city wall, palace, or temple forming the conclusion.
The record of the king’s military achievements also evolves
from a stage of more or less general statements to detailed
accounts of events as they occurred year by year during the
reign. In other words, we have royal annals. However, a
variant form also developed, in which the king’s achieve-
ments were not recorded by years, but by “campaigns.” In
most cases it is possible to date the campaigns from other
sources. It looks, therefore, as if there might be fairly smooth
sailing for the political historian. But it is not so. One soon
discovers that the accurate portrayal of events as they took
place, year by year during the king’s reign, was not the guid-
ing motive of the royal scribes. At times the different cam-
paigns seem to have been shifted about without any apparent
reason, but more often it is clear that royal vanity demanded
playing fast and loose with historical accuracy. This matter
has been discussed so ably and thoroughly by Professor 01m-
stead in his Assyrian Historiography that it is not necessary
to elaborate here. Only on one point should a word be said.
ii. It would, no doubt, be desirable to arrange our docu-
ments in chronological sequence. So, for example, the ac-
count of the “first campaign” as it was written down soon
after the event, then the record including the account of cam-
paigns one and two, again as written down soon after the
second campaign, and so on to the end. We should thus be
able to sift out the wheat from the chaff as we read along, to
detect many a departure from accuracy made in the interests
of the royal vanity already referred to, in a word, to form our
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8 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
picture of a given reign from the oldest records of the events
of that reign. But after a long struggle it was decided that it
would be better, in the cases where we have a succession of
documents, to place the final edition at the head of the list,
with the earlier versions, arranged chronologically, following.
It seems easier to make a few erasures and transpositions in a
finished picture than to build up that picture piece by piece.
12. Except in the case of the documents from the reign of
Assurbanipal, an attempt has been made to include in this
volume all of the records which fall into the group of historical
and building inscriptions. 1 Assurbanipal kept entirely too
many scribes busy writing epigraphs for reliefs which were
never carved upon palace walls. One or two such epigraphs
telling how the king “joyfully entered Nineveh,” with the
head of Teumman, king of Elam, carried before him, are
enough for historical purposes. But no document of historical
importance has been omitted intentionally. It is hoped that
no serious oversight has occurred.
13. The translations here given have been made from the
careful revisions of the printed texts prepared as a basis for
the compilation of a new Assyrian dictionary. The writer
spent three months in the British Museum collating the pub-
lished texts with the originals. The result of this work will be
seen in not a few places in this volume. But to avoid crowd-
ing the pages with footnotes containing textual and philo-
logical discussions, which would have meaning only to the
Assyriologist, all such matters have been transferred to the
pages of the American Journal of Semitic Languages (Vol.
XLIII). For the same reason it seemed best to exclude refer-
ences to practically all discussions and previous translations
of the documents here collected. The selected Bibliography
given at the end of the volume contains the titles of all the
1 Which does not mean that every published brick inscription, for example, is
included.
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INTRODUCTION 9
important works consulted. It is needless to add that the
translator is deeply indebted to all who have labored in the
field of Assyriology. From their translations he has taken
many a phrase, many a line.
14. The writer is aware that there will be considerable
criticism of his transcription of the Assyrian proper names.
But there seems no valid reason for using diacritical marks
and combinations of consonants which serve only to bewilder
the reader who does not happen to be a Semitic philologist.
Why, for example, have the name of the famous Babylonian
lawgiver appear as Khammurabi when one knows that the
majority of readers will proceed to pronounce it Cammurabi?
To render the Semitic k by q is even more absurd, for the
English language uses q only in combination with u, the two
being almost always pronounced kw. In the Index of Proper
Names there will be given, in transliteration, the more im-
portant variant renderings of the proper names in the
Assyrian texts, as well as such identifications with classical,
biblical, and modem names as the writer regards as fairly
certain.
15. One other criticism may perhaps be forestalled by the
statement that since a discussion of Assyrian chronology can-
not be carried on without involving Babylonian chronology
at every step, it has been thought best to reserve this matter
for the volume of Babylonian historical texts (Vol. III). The
Babylonians were very fond of compiling lists of kings and of
writing chronicles involving the history of Assyria and Elam
as well as their own, and it is on these lists and chronicles
that the Assyrian chronology as well as Babylonian history
must largely be based. In chapter xv of Volume II are given
fragments of Assyrian kings’ and limmu lists and a table of
Assyrian kings. This latter is based upon that of Weidner.
published in Meissner’s Babylonien und Assyrien, II, 450 f.
But the writer sees no reason whatever for putting dates, like
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xo ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
1 450-1 43 1, opposite certain names, even if a footnote is ap-
pended to explain that they are only approximativ. For
the events or reigns before 91 1 B.c. the dates are approximate
and depend largely upon synchronisms with happenings in
Egyptian and Babylonian history. The mention of an eclipse
of the sun in the month of Simanu in the limmu of Bur-
Sagale gives us an astronomically fixed date for this eponymy,
namely, 763 b.c., and this in turn fixes the other dates in the
Assyrian chronology from 91 1 b.c. to the end.
16. Finally, in view of the wordiness of the Assyrian his-
torical documents the translator has been compelled to pare
to the quick his introductions to, and notes on, the texts. The
words found in brackets in the translations have been sup-
plied — often from parallel or similar passages. Broken brack-
ets are employed where one or more characters of the word
have been preserved. Where a number of words have been
inclosed by a bracket and a broken bracket, the words up to,
or after, the one carrying the broken bracket are conjectural.
In parentheses are given literal or variant translations, and
such additional words as are required by the difference of
idiom to bring out the sense.
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CHAPTER H
INSCRIPTIONS OF THE EARLY RULERS;
FROM ITITI TO ADAD-NIRARI I
I. ITITI
17. What seems to be the earliest inscription from Assur is found
on a limestone slab erected in honor of the goddess Ishtar, by Ititi, son
of Iakulaba. Like the names of Ushpia and Kikia, neither the name of
the son nor that of the father seems to be Semitic or Sumerian. It has
been suggested that Ushpia and Kikia were of Mitannian origin, but
in view of certain personal names found in the “Cappadocian” tablets,
this is now being questioned . 1 It is possible that these rulers belong to
the time of the Gutium dynasty, when twenty kings, bearing ungodly
names, ruled the Tigris-Euphrates Valley for one hundred and twenty-
five years and forty days . 1 The text of this inscription is published in
KAH, II, No. 1; photograph in AIT, Plate 640, b.
18. Ititi, the ruler, 3 son of Iakulaba, with fervent prayer,
to Ishtar has erected (this stele).
H. ZARIKU
19. The first datable inscription is that of Zariku, who ruled Assur
under Bur-Sin, the third king of the Third Ur Dynasty, twenty-third
century b.c. (text, KAH, II, No. 2 ; photograph AIT, Plate 64c).
20. The temple of Belat-ekallim, his lady, for the life of
Bur-Sin, the mighty, king of Ur and king of the four quarters
(of the world), Zariku, viceroy of Assur, 4 his servant, for his
life, has built.
1 Cf. Preface to Cuneiform Texts from Cappadocian Tablets in the British
Museum, Part I.
1 Cf. Oxford Editions of Cuneiform Texts, n, 25.
» See ZA, Vol. XXXHI, p. 52, n. 2.
« Written Ashir, the usual spelling in these early Assyrian texts of the name
both of the god and the city-state. Both are often written without the determina-
tive.
11
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i2 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
III. DADUM
21. Of uncertain date, but written in archaic characters, is the
inscription on a duck weight presented by Dadum, son of Ibik-Adad,
king of Tupliash, a small border state to the east of the lower Tigris
(text, KAH, II, No. 3).
22. Dadum, son of Ibik-Adad, king of Tupliash, for {pos-
sibly, to) Inibshina, his daughter, has presented (this).
IV. SHALIM-AHUM
23. In the MDOG, No. 44, p. 30, the German excavator of Kalat-
Sherkat, Dr. Andrae, reported the discovery of part of a block of
alabaster inscribed with archaic characters and probably from Shalim-
ahum’s reign. Only the first six of the twenty-four lines which have
been preserved were given in transliteration and translation. The
text has not been published.
24. [ShalinP-ahum, viceroy of Assyria (Assur), son of
Puzur-Ashir, viceroy of Assyria.
V. ILU-SHUMA
25. A catch line at the end of a late version of a Babylonian
chronicle, 1 reading “Ilu-shuma, king of Assyria, against Suabu,” gives
us another synchronism, since the Suabu referred to is clearly Sumu-
abum, the first king of the First Dynasty of Babylon, twenty-second
century b.c. The following inscription of Ilu-shuma, the text of which
is found in KAH, II, No. 4, is from a “stone object” — the German
editor called it a “duck weight” — now in the British Museum (No. 115,-
690). To the left of 11 . 6-8 are three more, but totally illegible, lines.
26. Ilu-shuma, viceroy of Assyria, 3 beloved of Assur 3 and
Ishtar, son of Shalim-ahum, viceroy of Assyria, 2 for Ishtar,
his lady, for his life, has built (this) temple.
VI. IRISHUM
27. Irishum, son of Ilu-shuma, is frequently mentioned by the
later Assyrians as an early temple-builder. A brick inscription of his
from Kalat-Sherkat was published in IR, 6, No. 2, but many of its
•See King, Chronicles Concerning Early Babylonian Kings, I, 115 ff.
1 Written Ashur, 1 Written Ashir.
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THE EARLY RULERS 13
crude signs were misread until Andrae’s excavations on that site gave
us many additional texts.
28. 1. Brick inscription giving Irishum’s genealogy (text, KAH,
I, No. 1).
Irishum, viceroy of Assyria, son of Ilu-shuma, viceroy of
Assyria; [Ilu]-shuma, [son] of Shalim-'ahum 1 , viceroy of
Assyria; Shalim-ahum, son of Puzur-Ashir, r viceroy of As-
syria].
29. 2. Brick inscription referring to the rebuilding of the Assur
temple (text, KAH, I, No. 61). This is probably a more complete
duplicate of the inscription published in IR, 6, No. 2, and again in
AKA, p. 1 (photograph, p. xv).
Irishum, viceroy of Assyria, son of Ilu-shuma, viceroy of
Assyria; for Assur, his lord, for his life and the life of his city,
the whole temple r he (re)built 1 .
30. 3. Inscription on bricks from the Assur temple and the mushla-
lu, or buttress stairway on the north of this temple (text, KAH, II,
No. s; photographs, Andrae, Fest., Tafel LXXXV).
Irishum, viceroy of the god Assur ( v ., Assyria), son of
Ilu-shuma, viceroy of Assyria, for Assur, his lord, for his life
and the life of his city, the whole inclosure(?) of the temple
of Assur, and the mushlalu, a mighty(?) abode of Assur, has
built.
31. 4. Brick inscription from the Assur temple (text, KAH, II,
No. 7).
Irishum, viceroy of the god Assur, the temple of Assur,
has built, and(?) huburu and
32. 5. The same. It is possible that the complete text of 2 was
the same as this (text, KAH, II, No. 8).
Irishum, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Ilu-shuma, vice-
roy of Assur, for Assur his lord, for his life and the life of his
city, the whole house (and) inclosure(?), for Assur has built.
Two huburu I made {lit., begot), two hurush of 1 talent of
copper in their rooms(?) I set up.
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i 4 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
33. 6. Inscription on a door-socket (text, KAH, II, No. n).
Irishum, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Ilu-shuma,
viceroy of the god Assur, the whole house (and) inclosure(?)
for Assur, his lord, for his life and the life of his city, has built.
fWhen 1 1 built (lit., laid) that(?) house for sibsi, my pray-
ing, my calling (on the name of god), I finished (lit., made
good), and tablet(s) of silver, gold, bronze (and) lead (in)
grain I laid. At the side I set up and . On
every wall I sprinkled butter (cream) and honey, and I
poured (them) out one tipku deep.
May Assur, my lord, stand and, from the Zinim- gate 1 to
the gate (called) Nisih-bitatim, may he look. May he hate
the enemies of the wall and may he go up against all who are
enemies of mine and of the wall.
Whoever shall destroy any of my work, (or this) docu-
ment (inscription), not rejoicing in it(?), may Assur
34. 7. The same (text, KAH, II, No. 9).
Irishum, viceroy of Assyria, son of Ilu-shuma, viceroy of
the god Assur, for Assur, his lord, for his life and the life of his
city, the inclosure(?)
35. 8. Brick inscription recording the building of the temple of the
god Adad (text, KAH, I, No. 60).
Irishum, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Ilu-shuma, vice-
roy of the god Assur; for his life and the life of his city, the
temple of Adad in its totality, he (re)built, and set up its
door-leaves.
36. Here may also belong the broken text published in KAH,
n, No. 12.
and .... Adad(?) I for Adad, my
lord, for my life and the life of my city, the temple and its
inclosure(?) I built and [set up] its door-leaves.
1 Cf. Assur-n&sir-pal, Monolith V, 33. See § 493. Was it a postern gate?
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THE EARLY RULERS 15
37. 9. Inscription on a pebble, possibly dedicated to Adad (text,
KAH, II, No. 10).
[For Adad(P ) 1 Erishum has made (this).
38. xo. Inscription on a stone slab (text, KAH, II, No. 6).
Irishum, viceroy of Assyria, son of Uu-shuma, viceroy of
Assyria; Irishum, viceroy of the god Assur, for (his) life has
built (this temple).
vn. IKUNUM
39. From Ikunum we have only a potsherd with the beginning(?)
of an inscription (text, KAH, II, No. 13).
Ikunum, viceroy
40. On a late copy of an older text, published by Johns in AJSL,
XVIII, 176, there is a reference to a
temple of Ereshkigal which Ikunum, son of Erishum had
built, (which) had fallen to ruins and Shamshi-Adad, son of
(re)built.
VIII. SAMSI-ADAD
41. Stamped bricks of Samsi-Adad, son of Igur-Kabkabu, were
among the early objects found at Kalat Sherkat. The text of these was
published in IR, 6, No. 1, and again in AKA, p. 2. Duplicates were
recovered by the German excavators, and published in KAH, II,
No. 16.
Samsi-Adad, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Igur-Kab-
kabu, builder of the temple of Assur.
42. Possibly to the same ruler (or to the following?) belong the
shorter inscriptions on stamped bricks (text, KAH, II, No. 17) and
“on a circular piece of agate, or onyx,” in the British Museum (No.
89,906); see AKA, p. 2, n. 4. (Does text of ZA, XXI, 247 f. belong
here ?)
Shamshi-Adad, builder of the temple of Assur.
IX. SHAMSHI-ADAD
43. More uncertain in the list of Assyrian rulers is the place of
“Shamshi-Adad, king of the universe,” whose inscription follows. He
does not mention the name of his father, an omission which in later
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16 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Assyrian history usually indicates the usurpation of the throne. For
the first time we have a record of the extent of the royal conquests;
in this case reaching into the regions to the north of Assyria, the later
Armenia, and to the Mediterranean. With Shamshi-Adad also begin
the references to the earlier rulers who had built and rebuilt the
Assyrian temples which, owing to the materials used in their construc-
tion, were always in need of repairs. These references to earlier kings
are often of great value in determining the succession of the Assyrian
rulers, but are seldom of value in matters of chronology. The text of
the inscription, carved upon a stone slab, is published in KAH, I, No. 2.
43A. {Col. I) Shamshi-Adad, king of the universe, builder
of the temple of Assur; who devotes his energies to the land
between the Tigris and the Euphrates. At the command of
Assur who loves him, he whose (name) Anu and Enlil had
named for great (deeds), above (those of, lit., among) the
kings who had gone before, the temple of Enlil, which
Erishum, son of Ilu-shuma, had built, and whose structure
had fallen to ruins: {Col. II) the temple of Enlil, my lord, a
magnificent shrine, a spacious abode, the dwelling of Enlil,
my lord, which had been planned according to the plan of
wise architects, in my city Assur I roofed (that) temple with
[cedars] ; in the doors I placed door-leaves of cedar, covered
with silver and gold. The walls of (that) temple, (laid) upon
silver, gold, lapis lazuli, (and) sandu- stone, — (with) cedar-
oil, choice oil, {Col. Ill ) honey, and butter I sprinkled the
mud-walls. The temple of Enlil, my lord, I inclosed (with a
wall), and Eamkurkurra, “the Temple of the Wild Ox of the
Lands,” the temple of Enlil, my lord, in my city Assur, I
called its name.
44. When I built the temple of my lord Enlil, the (stand-
ard) price(s) in my city Assur (were as follows): For one
shekel of silver, two gar of grain, for one shekel of silver,
fifteen minas of wool, for one shekel of silver, twenty ka
of oil, (Col. IV) according to the (standard) price(s) of
my city Assur, were bought.
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THE EARLY RULERS 17
45. At that time, the tribute of the kings of Tukrish and
of the king of the upper country I received in my city Assur.
My great name and my memorial stele I set up in the country
of Laban on the shore of the Great Sea (the Mediterranean).
46. When that temple shall have fallen to decay, whoever
it may be among the kings, my descendants (lit., sons) (Col.
V) who shall restore the temple, let him anoint my founda-
tion cylinder and my memorial stele with oil, let him pour
out libations upon them and return them to their places.
Whoever does not anoint my foundation cylinder and me-
morial stele with oil, does not pour libations upon them and
does not restore them to their places, but (re)builds the
temple and alters my memorial stele, blots out my name and
inscribes his own name (upon it), or covers it with earth, or
throws it into the water: that king, — ( Vol . VI) [may Enlil
and] Adad [overthrow 1 his 'rule 1 [in the] land, [from before
the king who is his] 'foe 1 may 'he 1 and his forces not escape.
May Nergal in violence bring about his destruction and the
destruction of his land. [May Ishtar, goddess of battle 1 ,
'mistress 1 of war, shatter his arms and the arms of his hosts.
May Sin, my patron(P), 1 be his evil lier-in-wait for all time
to come.
X. ashir-nirAri I
47. From the first Ashir-nirari we possess three brick inscriptions
(with duplicates) published in KAH, I, No. 62, and in ibid., II, Nos. 18
and 19.
1. Ashir-nirari, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Ishme-
Dagan, viceroy of the god Assur, builder of the temple of
Bel, the elder. 2
! 2. Ashir-nirari, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Ishme-
Dagan, viceroy of the god Assur, restorer of the court of the
abaru . 3
1 Lit. “god of (at) my head.” 1 Possibly to be read B el-shipria. But see § 249.
J Perhaps “inclosure.” Adad-nir&ri, son of Arik-d£n-ilu, repaired this court;
see § 107.
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18 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
3. Ashir-nirari, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Ishme-
Dagan, viceroy of the god Assur, builder of the temple of
Sin and Shamash. .
XI. PUZUR-ASHIR IW?) 'uL
48. The chief interest of the inscription of Puzur-Ashir, possibly
the fourth bearing the name, is his reference to a former Assyrian ruler
named Sargon. This Sargon, son of Ikunum, is also mentioned in a
fragment of a kings’ list (KA V, No. 18; see Vol. II, § 1189). The text of
Puzur-Ashir’s inscriptions, inscribed on limestone slabs and the edge
of a bowl, is published in KAH, II, Nos. 29 and 21.
1. Puzur-Ashir, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Ashir-
nirari, viceroy of the god Assur. The bit-shuhuri 1 of the
temple of the Assyrian Ishtar, which Ilu-shuma, the prince,
had built, and Sargon (Sharru-kin) my ancestor, son of
Ikunum, had restored (and) which had fallen to ruins, I
(re)built.
2 of Puzur-Ashir
49. Another inscription of Puzur-Ashir is given in Andrae, Fest.,
p. 156, in transliteration and translation (photograph on Tafel
LXXXVII of the second volume of that work).
3. Puzur-Ashir, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Ashir-
nirari, viceroy of the god Assur, for his life and the welfare of
his city. I (re)built the wall of the mushlalu which had fallen
to ruins and set up my zigdte . 2
May a future prince, when that wall shall fall to ruins
(re) build it. (Then) Assur and Adad will hear his prayers.
[Let him (also) restore] my zigdte to their places.
3 The (bU)shnk{iri or shak&ri is mentioned in a number of inscriptions (see
Index). The form shaltilru seems to be a synonym of aburru, “inclosure,” but this
is not of much help in determining its architectural significance.
3 Also spelled zikkdte. (Plural of zigatu.) They are phallic cones, usually made of
clay. A photograph of a clay phallus is given in MDOG, No. 22, p. 26. Cf. also ibid.,
No. 32, p. 25 n.
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THE EARLY RULERS 19
Xn. ASHIR-BfiL-NISHfiSHU
50. The text of Ashir-bel-nisheshu’s zigdte inscriptions is given in
KAH, II, No. 22. See also Fest., p. 156, and Tafel, LXXXVI where
this and another fragmentary text are given. 1
Ashir-b el-nishseshu , viceroy of the god Assur, son of
Ashir-nirari, viceroy of the god Assur, for his life
The great wall of the new city [which Puzur'-Ashir (had
built)
xih. ashir-r!m-nish£shu
51. A zigatu inscription of Ashir-rim-nish&shu gives us the name
of the traditional first builder of the city wall of Assur (Kalat Sherkat),
namely, Kikia. The text is found in KAH, I, No. 63, and also in
Andrae, Fest., p. 155, with photograph on Tafel LXXXVI.
Ashir-rim-nisheshu, viceroy of the god Assur, son of
Ashir-nirari, viceroy of the god Assur, (grand)son of Ashir-
rabi, the viceroy.
The wall which Kikia, Ikunum, Sargon(Sharru-ken),
Puzur-Ashir (and) Ashir-nirfiri, son of Ishme-Dagan, my
ancestors (lit., fathers) had built, had fallen to ruins. For my
life and the welfare of my dty, I (re)built it from its founda-
tion to its top (lit., lip). And I restored its zigdte to their
places.
May (some) future prince, when that wall shall fall to
ruins, restore it. (Then) Assur and Adad will hear his
prayers. Let him return its zigdte to their places. 2
XIV. assur-nAdin-ah£
52. From the palace of Assur-nadin-ahfe we have a number of in-
scribed bricks (text, KAH, II, No. 24). The same text is on the brick
fragments in the British Museum (Guide, No. 115,695, p. 62). For
the place of Assur-nadin-ahe in the list of Assyrian kings, see § 58.
Palace of Assur-nadin-ahe, viceroy of the god Assur.
1 The text assigned tentatively to Ertba-Adad I has been replaced on Tafel
LXXXVI by another fragment (see § 55).
2 The end of an inscription published in KAH, II, No. 23, and there assigned
to Ashir-bel-nisheshu, is probably a variant of this inscription of Ashir-rim-nish&hu.
Instead of “lip” for “top,” it reads “lips” (cf. KAH, II, No. 28, Rev.).
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ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
XV. ERlBA-ADAD
53. A glance at the text of Assur-uballit given below (§ 58) will
show the reason for restoring the names of Eriba-Adad, etc., at the
beginning of the following inscription. Note also the fragmentary
kings’ list, Vol. II, § 1192. The text is published in KAH, II, No. 25.
1. [Eriba-Adad, priest of Assur, son of Assur]-bel-
nisheshu, [priest of Assur 1 ; [Assur-beP-nisheshu, [son of
Assur ’-nirari, [priest of Assur 1 ; [Assur’-nirari, [son of Assur ’-
rfibi, [priest of Assur 1
(Rev.) .... zikkdti I set up. May (some [future prince 1 ,
when [that temple] shall fall to ruins, [restore it. Then] Assur
[and Adad will hear his prayers 1 . The 'zikk&ti' [may he return
to their places].
54. The oldest of the royal steles uncovered by Andrae at Kalat
Sherkat is that of Eriba-Adad ( Stelenreihen , p. 41).
2. Stele (lit., image) of Eriba-Adad, king of the universe.
55. Possibly to Eriba-Adad’s time belongs the fragmentary text
published in KAU, I, No. 58, and given in transliteration and trans-
lation in Andrae, Fest., pp. 156 ff.
3. [X, son of Y, viceroy of the god] Assur, for his 'life and
the safety of his city. 1 The great wall [of the new city(?) .]
which Puzur-Ashir, [my ancestor, who lived before
me had built ..].... that wall had
(re) built. From the great wall which is in the midst of the
city, up to the river, [Z] had inclosed (it), 1 from its founda-
tions to its top I rebuilt (it). [Its zigdte ] I set up. May some
future prince, [when that wall] shall fall to ruins, restore it.
[Then Assur] and Adad [will hear] his prayers. Its zigdte let
him restore [to their places.]
sj « e.
/-»•
Or-
5 * *
56. To one of the earlier Assyrian rulers must also be assigned
the broken inscription published in KAH, II, No. 26.
The chief of the workmen At that time, with
the reed of Assyria, on the side of Mount Ebih, on the bank
* That is, faced it with stone or new brick.
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THE EARLY RULERS 21
of the Tigris, I built a city, and surrounded it entirely (with a
wall). From its foundations to its top, I built, I completed it.
And the name of that city I called Sharru-iddina. My me-
morial stele I inscribed, and my name I established forever.
Let the (prince) who comes after (me) look upon this stele of
mine, and let him honor my name
57. A portion of a zigatu inscription, given by Andrae, Fest., p. 157
(Tafel XCIIIc), contained the account of the restoration of the shalhfi,
or outer wall, by some early ruler. Unlike most of the early zigatu in-
scriptions, this one was dated.
[X, viceroy of Assur, etc.] [At that time the shalhH , which
] . r my ancestor 1 had built, [had fallen to ruins. From
its foundation 1 to its top [I rebuilt it and my zigdte 1 1 set up. 11 '
[May (some) future prince,] when that shalhd [shall fall to ^ -
ruins, restore it will hear his prayers . 1 [Let him
return 1 r my zigdte to their places.]
I [Eponymy of ] -Marduk, [son of] Adad-^hammai . 1
XVI. ASSUR-UBALLIT
58 . Assur-uballit ( ca . 1380 b.c.) of Assyria has long been known
from the Synchronous History (Col. I, 19 f.) as the father of Mubal-
litat-Sherua, wife of the Kassite king Buma-buriash and mother of
Karahardash (Karaindash), who was slain in an uprising. In the second
of the two letters Assur-uballit wrote to Amenophis IV of Egypt
(Knudtzon, Die-el-Amarna-Tafeln, No. 16, 11 . 19 f.) he refers to
“the time when Assur-n&din-ahe, his father, wrote to Egypt.” The
word “father” may here have the meaning “ancestor,” as often in the
Assyrian texts, but even so our difficulties are not all cleared up. In the
texts given below Assur-uballit does not include Assur-nadin-ahe
among his ancestors, although he carries his line back six generations.
But from KAV, No. n, we know that Assur-nadin-ahS was the pred-
ecessor of Eriba-Adad, and that this king, as well as Assur-rim-nisheshu,
must be placed between Erlba-Adad and Assur-bel-nisheshu. (Cf. Vol.
II, § 1192.) Assur-uballit’s line probably had some trouble in holding
the Assyrian throne.
On a day tablet, having the common Assyrian amulet form, we
have Assur-uballit’s account of the rebuilding of the palace in the new
city (text, KAH, II, No. 27).
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22 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
59. 1. Assur-uballit, priest of Assur, son of Eriba-Adad;
Eriba-Adad, priest of Assur, son of Assur-bel-nisheshu ;
Assur-bel-nisheshu, priest of Assur, son of Assur-nirari;
Assur-nirari, priest of Assur, son of Assur-rabi; Assur-rabi,
priest of Assur, son of Enlil-nasir; Enlil-nasir, priest of Assur,
son of Puzur-Assur, priest of Assur.
Assur-uballit, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, [for his life]
and the welfare of his city, [the palace 1 of the new city [which]
they had brought(?) from the outside(?) and then established
in the midst of the city, which Puzur-Assur, my ancestor, a
(former) prince, had built before my (day), fell to ruins,
from its foundations to its top I (re)built it. And I set up
my zikatu.
Let the prince who comes after (me), when that temple
shall fall to ruins, restore it. (Then) Assur, Adad and Bel-
sharri will hear his prayers. And let him return my zikatu
to its place.
The month Muhur-ildni, eponymy of Enlil-mudammik.
60. The temple of Ishtar-dinitum, built according to Tukulti-
Urta (§ 196) by Irishum, was restored by Assur-uballit (text, KAE, II,
No. 28).
2. Assur-uballit, viceroy of Assur, son of Iriba-Adad;
Iriba-Adad, viceroy of Assur, son of Assur-bel-nisheshu;
Assur-bel-nisheshu, viceroy of Assur, son of Assur-nirari ;
Assur-nirari
(Rev.) Beams I stretched over it. Door-leaves I set up in
it. From its foundations to its top (lit., lips) I renewed it, and
restored it to its place. And I caused Ishtar-dinitum my lady
to dwell in the midst of that temple, and I set up my zikatu.
Let the prince who comes after (me), when that temple
shall fall to ruins, restore it. (Then) Assur, Adad and
Ishtar-dinitum will hear his prayers. (Edge) [And my zikatu\
let him return r to (its) place 1 .
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THE EARLY RULERS 23
61. In a third inscription of Assur-uballit we learn of the building
of a canal which made an old well back of the temple terrace super-
fluous. This well was filled in to make way for a park (text, KAH,
I, No. 64).
3. Assur-uballit, viceroy of the god Assur, son of Eriba-
Adad, viceroy of the god Assur. When Assur, my lord, gave
(the command) to build the Patti-duhdi- (canal), which
brings plenty and abundance, the well, whose name was
Uballit^n^sheshu, 1 whose conduit (?) was back of the (pal-
ace) terrace, whose depth, to the water, was ten cubits, (and)
which Assur-nfidin-ahe, viceroy of the god Assur, had dug
aforetime; — on a limestone a wall of limestone
was built, (reaching) to the bottom of the well. To carry out
the construction of a park I tore down the fallen (parts of
that wall), I filled it up with dirt.
In the days to come, may the king who desires (to use)
that well, have its dirt removed and let him (thus) reach its
waters.
62. Besides the Synchronous History we have the following in-
teresting document which is indicative of the temporary rapproche-
ment between Assur and Babylon. The text, from a clay memorial
tablet found at Kalat Sherkat and now in the British Museum (No.
96,947), is published in AKA, pp. 388 f.
63. 4. Marduk-nadin-ahe, the scribe of the king, the son
of Marduk-uballit, the son of Ushshur-ana-Marduk, blessed
by god and king, humble (though) exalted, who makes glad
the heart of his lord: the house which I have placed in the
shadow of the temple of Marduk, my lord, and the well for
'fresh 1 water which I have opened therein, — through the su-
preme wisdom of Marduk, my lord, I made large its bit-
mandu round about (it); heavy (sub) structures of burnt
brick, of which no man knows (the like), by my wise plan-
ning, I built underneath the whole of it; the house in its
entirety, its rooms and its chambers I built and completed.
1 “It keeps alive its (the city’s) people.”
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24 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
(j Rev.) I have not May Marduk behold
that house, and may he grant that it may be my resting-place,
and for my sons, for my sons’ sons, for my seed, and for the
seed of my seed, forever, may he stablish it fast, and .... of
Marduk, my lord, and Sarpanitu, my lady, . . . I(?) and my
family, .... let us make and houses of (which?)
my fathers were brought(?) ..... and through
the command of Marduk, my lord, .... may he (?) restore.
And to my lord, to Assur-uballit, r who loves me 1 , the king of
the universe, my lord, length of days may the lord of fulness
and abundance grant.
XVII. arik-d£n-ilu
64. Arik-d6n-ilu, whose name was long misread Pudi-ilu, was until
recently represented by only two inscriptions. The first was that on
the well-known limestone prism of the British Museum (No. 91,059;
photograph in AKA, p. xix), while the second was that on a brick from
Kalat-Sherkat, “in private possession.” This latter text was pub-
lished by Lenormant, Choix de textes cuniiformes, p. 169, No. 72 (see.
AKA, p. 3, n. 2). In the course of the systematic excavations of Assur
(Kalat-Sherkat) by Andrae, an alabaster tablet, inscribed on its four
sides, came to light. This, like the British Museum prism, came from
the Shamash temple. From Arik-den-ilu’s reign also comes our earliest
Assyrian Annals text.
The text on the alabaster tablet is published in KAH, II, No. 29;
that of the limestone prism in AKA, p. 3.
65. 1. Arik-den-ilu, the mighty king, king of Assyria,
builder of the temple of Adad, Eanna(?), the glorious(?), for
the days that are; son of Enlil-nirari, king of Assyria; (grand)
son of Assur-uballit, king of Assyria. When I planned to build
that temple, because of the abundance (lit., success) of the
harvest of my land, 1 in the shrine of Shamash, a high(?)
place, which formerly was the place where the laws of the
land were administered, and (which) now had been turned to
1 Had there been a fa min e? One thinks of the “royal stele with a partly erased
inscription describing the return of abundance after a drought,” published in King,
Babylonian Boundary-Stones, p. 128.
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THE EARLY RULERS 25
heaps and ruins, its “sides” from(?) the ten people who had
seized upon (them) and settled there, I took away. I estab-
lished its foundation in the eponymy of Beruti, son of Eriba-
Adad, king of Assyria.
In days to come let (some) future prince, when that
temple shall fall to ruins, restore it; let him anoint my me-
morial steles with oil, let him offer sacrifices, let him return
(them) to their place. (Then) Shamash will hear his prayers.
Whoever destroys my memorial steles, counts them for de-
struction, may Shamash, my lord, overthrow his kingdom,
and upon his land bring famine.
66. 2. Arik-den-ilu, the true (legitimate) prince, the
mighty king, king of Assyria; builder of the temple of
Shamash, the temple of (his) tutelary deity.
Whoever blots out my inscribed name, or alters my me-
morial, may Shamash, my lord, overthrow his kingdom, and
may he bring (lit., cast) famine to his land.
67. 3. The inscribed brick (Choix de lextes, No. 72) evidently came
from the palace of Arik-den-ilu.
Palace of Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria, son of Enlil-
nirari, king of Assyria, (grand) son of Assur-uballit, king of
Assyria.
68. 4. The fragmentary Annals of Arik-den-ilu, first published in
transliteration by Scheil, OLZ, VII, 216, are now given in Clay,
Babylonian Records (Morgan), IV, No. 49.
to the year x hun-
dred (or, thousand) of their sheep, 100 of their cattle,
to the city of Assur I brought.
At that time 7 IGI-MAL in their
(Jem.) mouth, before him(?) (he) made.
Arik-den-ilu his gift to Ishtar
his he presented
69. . . . . Arik-den-ilu, his harvest which Esini
3 ike(?) Esini. 33 chariots which
with (or,
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26 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
in) shidite he smote. Arik-den-ilu in the
of his chariots (?) he proceeded (?). The chariot (s)
of the land of Nigimhi in the city of Arnuni
he shut up his gate he
caused to shine(?) . . . Arik-den-ilu shattered.
Esini like a pelican(?) to Arik-den-ilu
x minas each, Arik-d^n-ilu
. ... the cities of Turiha(?), Habaruha, which to (against)
the city of Kutila, their men (soldiers) he de-
ported the cities of Tarbisu and Kudina he
he gave them. The city of Kutila
they brought under their sway(?).
70. At that time with 90 of his(?) chariots
he crossed. 600 men of the city of in (with)
shidite he smote. Rima — for the crime (?)
of the city, every he smote
2 minas each from
the land of Halahi, as far as the going forth(?)
he carried off (plundered), 254 thousand(?)
he smote, their overthrow he brought about. r Their booty 1
to the city of Assur he brought.
71. At that time Asini revolted to
(Rev.) whoever blots out the word of
this tablet the great gods of
heaven and earth, a curse that cannot be warded off(?)
fhave no mercy 1 upon them. Above, in heaven
them, below, on earth may he
be May Sin, the luminary (Nannar) of the
gods May leprosy 1 like a garment 'clothe him 1
your from out of temple and palace
may he destroy their seed, their images
(steles?) may he (?) burn with fire their torch
'may he plunge 1 into the water
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CHAPTER III
INSCRIPTIONS OF ADAD-NIRARI I
72. In Adad-nir&ri I (ca. 1300 b.c.) we come upon an ambitious
and able ruler. Under him the Assyrian state made its first great strides
toward becoming a world-power. We are dependent upon building
inscriptions for our information as to his activities at home and abroad.
Apparently the arrangement of the king’s conquests by yearly “cam-
paigns” in the introductory paragraphs of dedicatory inscriptions had
considerable difficulty in establishing itself as a correct literary form.
The start in this direction, made by Arik-den-ilu, does not seem to
have been followed up by his immediate successors. However, the ex-
tent of Adad-niffiri’s activities, if not the chronological order thereof,
may be gathered from the long Introduction prefaced to a number of
building inscriptions. This Introduction, with variants, follows:
73. Adad-nirari, illustrious prince, honored of god (*>., the
gods), lord, viceroy of the gods (or, viceroy of the land of the
gods), city-founder, destroyer of the mighty (or, perhaps,
haughty) hosts of Kassites, Kuti, Luluml, and Shubari; who
destroys all foes north and south (lit., above and below);
who tramples down their lands from Lubdu and Rapiku to
Eluhat (v. adds, who conquers Taidi, Shuri, Kahat, Amasaki,
Hurra, Shuduhi, Nabula, Ushshukani and Irridi, the whole
Kashiaeri region, as far as Eluhat, the fortress of Sudi, the
fortress of Harran, as far as Carchemish, which is on the bank
of the Euphrates) ; who captures all peoples, enlarges bound-
ary and frontier; the king to whose feet Anu, Assur, Shamash,
Adad and Ishtar have brought in submission all kings and
princes; the exalted priest of Enlil, son of Arik-den-ilu,
viceroy of Enlil, priest of Assur, conqueror of the lands of
Turuki and Nigimhi in their totality, together with all their
kings, mountains, and highlands, the territory of the wide-
spreading Kuti (v. adds, conqueror of Kutmuhi and all of its
27
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28 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
allies), the hordes of the Ahlaml and Suti, the Iauri and their
lands, who enlarged boundary and frontier; grandson of
Enlil-nirari, priest of Assur, who destroyed the armies of the
Kassites, whose hand overcame all of his foes, who enlarged
boundary and frontier; great-grandson of Assur-uballit, the
mighty king whose priesthood in the great temple was glori-
ous (lit., surpassing), the peace of whose reign was established
to distant lands (firm) as a mountain (v. adds, who subjugated
Musri); who destroyed the armies of the widespreading
Shubari, who enlarged boundary and frontier.
74. Like the long Introduction, the “blessings and curses,” ap-
pended to the building inscriptions, had assumed a standard form
which, to avoid repetition, is given here (with variants) :
75. In days to come, may (some) future prince, when this
place (t)., this wall; or, city wall; or, quay wall) shall become
old and fall into ruins (v. adds, when the high water shall
carry it off), restore its ruins, return my memorial stele with
(and) my inscription to its place. (Then) Assur will hear his
prayers.
76. Whoever blots out my name and writes his own name
(in its place), or breaks my memorial stele, or consigns it to
destruction, or throws it into the river, or covers it with
earth, or bums it in the fire, or casts it into the water, or takes
it into a dark chamber (or, pest house) where it cannot be
seen, and sets it up therein, or if anyone because of these
curses sends a hostile foe or an evil enemy, or an evil tongue
(i.e., a slanderer), or any other man, and has him seize it, or
if he plans and carries out any other plot against it, may
Assur, the mighty god, who dwells in Eharsagkurkurra, Anu,
Enlil, Ea, and Ishtar, the great gods, the Igigu of heaven, the
Anunaku of earth, all of them, look upon him in great anger,
and curse him with an evil curse. His name, his seed, his
kith and kin, may they destroy from the land. The destruc-
tion of his land, the ruin of his people and his boundary, may
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ADAD-NIRARI I 29
they decree by their fateful command. May Adad overwhelm
him with an evil downpour, may flood and storm, confusion
and tumult, tempest, want and famine, drought and hunger,
continue in his land; may he (Adad) come upon his land like
a flood and turn it to tells and ruins (». adds, may Ishtar, the
queen, bring about the overthrow of his land; may he not be
able to stand before his enemy). May Adad destroy his land
with destructive lightning (v. adds, and cast famine upon his
land).
77. The building and rebuilding of temples, palaces, city walls
and gates — these were the operations which occupied the Assyrian
kings when they were not oS on some campaign. The city walls, espe-
cially the east wall, along the river front, and the mushlalu, or buttress
stairway on the north side of the Assur temple, were completely over-
hauled and strengthened by Adad-nirari.
I. RESTORATION OF THE MUSHLALU
78. The mushlalu inscription is found on an alabaster tablet in the
British Museum (No. 90,978). It was published in IVR, 44 f., and
again in AKA, pp. 4 f. (photograph, p. xxv). The text of a duplicate
was published by Jastrow in AJSL, XII, 143 f. Still another duplicate
was found by Andrae and photographed in his Fest., Tafel LXXXVII 1 .
79. When the mushlal of the temple of Assur, my lord,
which is opposite the gate (called) Nish-ili-mdti (“Invocation
of the God of the Land”), and the gate (called) Daiane
(“Divine Judges”) which had been built aforetime (v. inserts,
of limestone and mud), had fallen into decay, had given way
and was in ruins, that place I tore up. I went down to its
foundation, with stone and earth from the town of Ubase I
rebuilt it and restored it to its place. And I set up my stele.
{Here follow the blessings and curses and the date:)
The month Muhur-ilani, the twentieth day, the eponymy
of Shulmanu-karradu.
II. REPAIRS ON THE SOUTH WALL OF ASSUR
80. The account of repairs on the south wall of the city was also
inscribed on alabaster tablets. The text of the inscription is published
: * k , 3
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30 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
in KAH, I, No. 4; the transliteration and translation are given in
Andrae, Fest., p. 160, and photograph on Tafel LXXXVIIL
81. At that time the great wall of the new city, with a
rampart (? mulu) 1 facing , and which (extends)
from the great wall of the middle of the city {or, Inner City)
around(?) to the river, which Puzur-Assur, my ancestor, a
king who lived before my time, had built aforetime; — that
wall my ancestor Assur-b el-nishseshu inclosed (with an in-
casing wall). Again it gave way, and my ancestor Eriba-
Adad, viceroy of Assur, a king who lived before my time,
rebuilt the fallen wall from its foundation to its top, its gates
and piers (towers?) as well, here strengthening, there incas-
ing. That wall became weak and fell into ruins (once more)
and Adad-nirari, viceroy of Assur, repaired it. I strengthened
the weak places, and rebuilt the fallen (parts), from its foun-
dation to its top. I made it fourteen bricks thick, according
to my large brick measure, and set up (my) memorial steles.
The memorial steles of my ancestors I set up beside my own.
{After the blessings and curses we have the broken date:)
The month Karrdtu, the eponymy of
HI. RESTORATION OF THE EAST WALL
82. Adad-nirari’s greatest building task was the restoration of the
eastern wall along the river. The river front as he left it underwent
practically no changes to the end of Assur’s history. The text on the
clay tablet recording this work is published in KAH, I, No. 3 (cf.
ibid., II, No. 36, for variants). For translation see Andrae, Fest.,
pp. 160 f., and for photograph, Tafel LXXXIX.
83. At that time the wall of the new city which faces the
river (and) which is provided with an incasing wall (? halsi
tisari ), which my ancestor Puzur-Assur, who reigned before
me, had built aforetime, — two and one-half bricks was its
thickness, thirty layers its height, — had become weak and
had given way, and the high waters had carried it off and
1 Possibly, like tamlH, “terrace,” from the root meaning “to be full.”
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ADAD-NIRARI I 31
obliterated all traces of it (lit., made its place unknown). I
dug down to its foundation, and, according to my large
brick measure, I made it ten bricks thick. Its foundation
walls I laid with huge blocks of mountain stone. From its
foundation to its top I rebuilt it. Its gutters, which r carry off 1
the water, with stone, burnt brick, and bitumen I strength-
ened. With a quay wall of stone, burnt brick and bitumen
I inclosed its riverward side and set up my memorial stele.
(After the blessings and curses is given the date:)
The month Muhur-ilani, the first day, the eponymy of
An-Assur-kalla, the major-domo.
• IV. RESTORATION OF THE QUAY WALL
84. The restoration of the quay wall along the river front also
called for commemorative inscriptions. Two of these, of which the
first was written on clay tablets, the second on stone, are published in
KAH, II, No. 35 (a text from less perfectly preserved duplicates had
already appeared in ibid., I, No. 65; also Andrae, Fest., p. 161, with
photograph on Tafel LXXXIX), and KAH, II, No. 33.
83. 1. The quay wall which faces the river and (runs)
from the upper “city threshold,” 1 of the gate of Ea-sharru,
to the lower “city threshold” of the gate of Nabu, which
had been ruined by the water, — whose stone and (burnt)
brick the high water had carried off for it; that quay wall I
strengthened with bitumen and (burnt) brick. I made it
4-2 bricks thick. With stone and earth from Ubase I strength-
ened its back and I set up my memorial stele.
(After the blessings and curses comes the date:)
The month Sippu, the . . . day, the eponymy of Anda-
risina.
86. The full text of KAE, II, No. 33, is given because of the short
Introduction and the variants in the blessings and. curses.
87. 2. Adad-nirari, king of the universe, the mighty
king, king of Assyria, son of Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria, son
of Enlil-nirfiri, king of Assyria.
1 Cf. Inscription of Adad-nirari II, §§ 383 and 582.
! A H x» , jl
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32 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
The quay wall, along the river, which had been ruined by
water, whose stone and (burnt) brick the floods (high water)
had carried ofl for it, — that quay wall I strengthened with
bitumen and mud, 4-5- bricks thick I made it. With stone
and bitumen mortar (lit., mud of bitumen) I strengthened
its back.
Let the prince who comes after (me), when that quay wall
shall fall to ruins, and the floods carry it away, restore its
r uins , and rebuild it; let him return my stele and my founda-
tion cylinder to their places. (Then) Assur and Adad will
hear his prayers. The one who destroys my stele and my
name, may Assur, my lord, overthrow his rule, may Adad
with his evil lightning destroy his land and may he bring
famine to his land; him, his army, and his seed, let him carry
off, and may he not be able to stand before his foe; let him
make his land like a ruin (left by) a deluge.
Month of Belit-ekallim, the thirteenth day, the eponymy
of Assur-musherish.
88. In addition to these longer inscriptions, numerous shorter ones
were stamped upon bricks. These are published in KAH, I, Nos. 7
and 12 (also in Andrae, Fest., p. 162: 2, 3). The British Museum
bricks, Nos. 90,253; 90,265; 90,812; 114,402 have the same inscrip-
tions (cf. T 5 , 1, 63).
3. Palace of Adad-nirari, the viceroy, son of Arik-den-ilu,
the viceroy: (a brick) from the quay wall which faces the
river.
4. Palace of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, son of
Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria: (brick) from the quay wall at
the mouth of the canal of the palaces.
V. PALACE REPAIRS
89. Of repairs upon the palace we become acquainted through
numerous brick inscriptions. Some mention only the name of the king,
with genealogy; others indicate the particular part of the palace which
had been improved or restored (cf. bowl inscription K.8554).
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ADAD-NIRARI I 33
90. 1. ( KAH , I, No. 67:) Palace of Adad-nir&ri, king of
the universe, son of Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria.
91. 2. ( KAH , I, Nos. 9 and n:) Palace of Adad-nirari,
king of the universe, son of Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria, son
of Enlil[-nirari], king of Assyria.
92. 3. (KAH, II, No. 38:) Palace of Adad-nirari, king of
the universe, son of Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria, son of
Enlil-nirari, king of Assyria: (brick) belonging to the terrace.
93. 4. (KAH, I, No. 8:) Palace of Adad-nirari, king of
the universe, son of Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria, son of
Enlil-nirari, king of Assyria: (brick) from the court of the
labunir house.
94. 5. (KAH, II, No. 37:) Palace of Adad-nirari, king
of the universe, son of Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria, son of
Enlil-nirari, king of Assyria : (brick) belonging to the court of
Belit-ekallim.
95. 6. (KAH, II, No. 40:) Palace of Adad-nirari, king of
the universe, son of Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria, son of
Enlil-nirari, king of Assyria: (brick) belonging to the bit-
shudutini-sdmi.
96. 7. (KAH, I, No. 68:) Palace of Adad-nirari, king of
the universe, son of Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria: (brick)
belonging to the shuduni-sami. 1
97. On alabaster vases were found the following inscriptions
(KAH, II, Nos. 30 and 31):
8. Palace of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, son of Arik-
den-ilu, king of Assyria, son of Enlil-nirari, king of Assyria.
98. 9. Palace of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, son of
Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria, son of Enlil-nirari, king of
Assyria: booty from the city of Taidi (v., the city of Irridi).
99. On fragments of two alabaster tablets is preserved an in-
scription recording more extensive repairs upon the palace. The Intro-
1 This is evidently a variant writing of the name at the end of the preceding
paragraph.
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34 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
duction and Conclusion are the same as those given above (§ 73). The
text is published in KAH, I, No. 5.
100. 10. At that time the palace of my city Assur, which
Assur-nadin-ahi, offspring (?) of my ancestors, a king who
reigned before my time, had built aforetime: — the wall at
(lit., of) the head of the gate of the Scepter, which faces the
pilu which is in that palace, wherein was built the shrine of
my lord Assur, (Rev.) and yearly my lord Assur goes to dwell
in that shrine: — that wall became weak and I cleared away
its ruins, I renewed it, I restored it to its place and I set up
my memorial stele.
VI. RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE OF ISHTAR
101. Five of the inscribed stone tablets which were set up in com-
memoration of Adad-nirari’s restoration of the Ishtar temple — built,
according to tradition, by Ilu-shuma, and frequently restored — have
survived. The text is published in KAH, II, No. 34.
102. Adad-nirari, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of
Arik-den-ilu, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of Enlil-
nirari, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur.
When the temple of the Assyrian Ishtar, my lady, which
aforetime Ilu-shuma, priest of Assur, my ancestor, son of
Shalim-ahi, priest of Assur had built and completed, (when)
that temple fell into decay, then Sargon (Sharru-kin), priest
(t»., prefect) of Assur, son of Ikunum, priest (v., prefect) of
Assur, restored it. It again fell into decay and Puzur-Assur,
my ancestor, priest (v., prefect) of Assur, son of Assur-nirari,
priest (v., prefect) of Assur, restored it. That temple and its
namaru, the shuhuru (v., bU-shuhuru) of the court, and the
hurush of Ishtar, of the court, which they (also) call the
altammu of Ishtar, (v. adds, and the temple of Ishhara, of the
court), had again fallen into decay, and I, Adad-nirari, pre-
fect of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of Arik-den-ilu, prefect of
Enlil, priest of Assur, son of Enlil-nirari, prefect of Enlil,
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ADAB-NIRARI I 35
priest of Assur, (of that temple) 1 1 repaired the weak places,
its breaches (? tirati) I stopped up, its foundation wall I
strengthened with masonry. The beams of the bit^shuhuru,
which were dislodged and broken (?), and the beams of the
bit-hurush of Ishtar, — their damaged parts I removed, I put
in new beams. I restored it (the temple) to its place and I set
up my memorial stele.
In days to come, let the prince who comes after (me),
when that temple shall fall into decay, restore it. (Let him
return) my memorial stele and my inscribed name to their
place, and Assur will hear his prayers. Whoever destroys my
inscription and my name, may Assur, the lord, overthrow his
rule; may he destroy his name (and) his seed from the land;
(and) may Ishtar, my lady, bring about the overthrow of his
land; may he not (be able to) stand before his enemy; may
Adad destroy his land with his evil lightning and bring
famine to his land.
The month of Belit-ekallim, the tenth day, the eponymy
of Assur-damik (v. dates: The month Karr ate, the eponymy
of Sha-Adad-ninu. The month of Sin, the first day, the
eponymy of Sha-Adad-ninu).
VII. RESTORATION OF THE GATE OF
ANU AND ADAD
103. On a door-socket, undoubtedly from the gate itself, is an
inscription recording the restoration of the gate of Anu and Adad,
which probably means the gate to the temple of Anu and Adad. The
text of the inscription is given in KAH, I, No. 6.
104. Adad-nirari, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, son
of Arik-den-ilu, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of
Enlil-nirari, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur.
When the piers (or, posts, abusatu ) of the gate of my lords
Anu and Adad, and their door-leaves, which had been built
aforetime, fell to ruins, I rebuilt the piers from their founda-
1 So variant.
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36 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
tions to their tops; door-leaves of mighty fir ( ashuhu ) trees,
with large new hinges ( irriti ), I made; with a covering (i.e.,
bands) of copper I covered (them), and in the gate of my
lords Anu and Adad I set them up for all time to come.
105. In days to come, may (some) future prince, who
restores the piers and their door-leaves when they shall have
fallen into ruins, do as I (have done) ; may he return my in-
scription to its place. (Then) Assur, Anu and Adad [will
hear] only his prayers.
106. But whoever blots out my inscription and name,
may Assur, Anu and Adad, the great gods, who come to my
aid, who give counsel (as to) my pious deeds, overthrow his
kingdom, destroy his name and seed from the land. The de-
struction of his land, the ruin of his people and his boundary
may they decree by their fateful command. May Adad with
his destructive lightning destroy his land, and may he bring
famine to his land.
VIII. REPAIRS ON THE TEMPLE OF ASSUR
107. We also have a number of short inscriptions from the Assur
temple. On bricks stand the texts, KAH, II, No. 39, and ibid., I, No.
10. British Museum, No. 114,402, is a duplicate.
1. Adad-nirari, priest of Assur, son of Arik-den-ilu, priest
of Assur; the damages of the court of the abaru of the temple
of Assur, his lord, he repaired.
2. Adad-nirari, priest of Assur. The of the wall
of the temple of Assur, his lord, which he had built in front
of the gardens of Adad, he strengthened.
Adad-nirari, priest of Assur.
108. The brief text, published in KAH, II, No. 32, is taken from a
large number of pottery fragments.
3. Belonging to the temple of Assur. Adad-nirari, king
of Assyria, at its three ( v ., four) feasts, he made (used?
these).
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ADAD-NIRARI I 37
rx. STELE INSCRIPTION
109. On Adad-nirari’s stele at Assur stood the simple inscription
(Andrae, Stelenreihen, pp. 39 f .) :
Belonging to Adad-nirari, the king.
no. Possibly to Adad-nirari belongs also the inscription published
in KAH, I, No. 57.
that wall I built anew. The dislodged beams
and weak and old timbers I tore down. The dislodged beams
and new timbers I put back (in place). The cracks of the
wall I and that wall from
its foundation (Rev.) to its top I rebuilt, to its place I restored
it, and I set up my memorial stele.
hi. In future days, let the prince who comes after (me),
when that wall falls to decay, restore it, let him return to its
place my memorial stele and Assur will hear his prayer.
Whosoever blots out my name and writes his name (in its
place) or destroys my memorial stele, Assur, the great lord,
who dwells in Eharsaggalkurkurra
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CHAPTER IV
INSCRIPTIONS OF SHALMANESER I
112. In the inscriptions of Shalmaneser I ( ca . 1280 B.c.), son of
Adad-nirari, we have the first preserved detailed account of military
operations conducted by an Assyrian king. Shamshi-Adad tells in a few
lines of setting up his stele on the shore of the Great Sea, which is gen-
erally interpreted as the Mediterranean. We have also seen that the
beginning of what developed into the annalistic records of the later
Assyrians was made by Arik-d&n-ilu. However, in Adad-nirari’s in-
scriptions we still have nothing but sweeping statements of victorious
marches reaching as far as Carchemish on the banks of the Euphrates.
But in the Introduction to an inscription of Shalmaneser, recording the
restoration of Assur’s temple, we have what corresponds to the “first
campaign” of the later Assyrian annals. At the time of his accession
the whole land of Uruadri (Urartu, Armenia, the name occurs here for
the first time) revolted. A vigorous campaign follows in which Shal-
maneser attempts to make good Assyria’s claim to much of the
“Hittite” country.
The text of the inscription engraved upon a stone tablet is pub-
lished in KAH, I, No. 13.
I. REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE OF
EHARSAGKURKURRA
1 13. 1. Text with historical Introduction.
(Obv. Col. I) Shalmaneser, prefect of Bel, priest of Assur,
the holy, viceroy of the gods, favorite prince of Ishtar, who
restores (purifies) the cult and the freewill offerings, who
increases the bloody sacrifices and the offerings for all the
gods; founder of splendid cities, builder of Eharsagkurkurra,
the abode of the gods, the mountain of the lands; awe-inspir-
ing despot ( v ., chief priest, prefect of Anu and Bel), shepherd
of all peoples, whose deeds (lit., ways) increase the good for
Assur; strong warrior, mighty in battle, who bums up the
38
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SHALMANESER I 39
enemy, thunders (like Adad) among his foes, who bursts forth
like a flame of fire, who is bold in battle, and, like the snare
of certain death, is the onset of his arms; the legitimate ruler,
who goes about, trusting in Assur and the great gods, his
lords, who has no rival, who seizes the territory of the enemy
north and south; the lord to whose feet Assur and the
great gods have brought all kings and rulers in submission.
When the lord Assur chose me for his legitimate worshiper,
and, for the ruling of the black-headed people, gave me
scepter, sword, and staff, he presented me the diadem of
legitimate rulership.
1 14. At that time, at the beginning of my priesthood, the
land of Uruadri rebelled ( v . adds, became estranged from me
and stirred up enmity), and to Assur and the great gods, my
lords, I raised my hands in prayer, I mobilized my armies,
went up against their mighty mountain fastnesses. The
lands of Himme, Uadkun, Bargun, Salua, Halila, Luha,
Nilipahri, Zingun, — eight countries with their forces, I
conquered. Fifty-one of their cities I captured, I burned,
as booty I seized their property. The whole land of Uruadri,
in three days’ time, (Col. II) I brought in submission at the
feet of Assur my lord. Their young men I selected(P), took
(them) for service, chose them to fear me. Heavy tribute for
a mountainous region (to pay?), for all time I imposed upon
them. The city of Arina, a strongly fortified mountain for-
tress, which had formerly revolted, despising the god Assur,
by the help of Assur and the great gods, my lords, I took that
city, I destroyed it and scattered kudime over its (site).
Its dust I gathered and in the gate of my city Assur I poured
it out (as a witness) for the days to come.
1 15. At that time the whole land of Musri I brought in
submission to the feet of Assur my lord.
1 16. When, at the behest of the great gods, I advanced
against the land of Hanigalbat with the mighty hosts of my
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4 o ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
lord Assur, I forced my way over difficult roads and narrow
passes. Shattuara, king of Hani ( v . has, Hanigalbat), the
army of Hittites and Ahlami (Arameans) with him , I sur-
rounded. He cut off (seized) the passes and my water sup-
ply. Because of thirst and fatigue my army bravely advanced
into the masses of their ( v . adds, widespreading) troops, and
I fought a battle and I accomplished their defeat. I killed
countless numbers of his defeated and widespreading hosts.
Against (the king) himself, at the point of the spear, unto
the setting of the sun I waged battle. {Lower Edge) I cut
down their hordes, 14,400 of them I overthrew and took
as living captives. Nine of his strongholds, his capital city,
I captured. One hundred and eighty of his cities I overturned
to tells and ruins. The army of Hittites and Ahlami (Ara-
means) his allies, I slaughtered like sheep. {Rev. Col. Ill)
At that time, from the city of Taidi to the city of Irridi, the
whole Kashiari mountain region, to the city of Eluhat, the
stronghold of Sudi, the stronghold of Harran as far as Car-
chemish, which is on the bank of the Euphrates, I captured
their cities. Their lands I brought under my sway, and the
rest of their cities I burned with fire.
117. Thereupon, the land of the Kutl, whose numbers are
countless as the stars of heaven, who know how to plunder,
came down upon me and fought with me, and stirred up en-
mity. To Assur and the great gods, my lords, I raised my hand
in prayer, saying: “They faithfully promised me their good
faith.” I left the camp of my army behind, took the choicest
third of my chariots, rushed into the midst of battle with
them. From the border of the land of Uruadri to the land of
Kutmuhi, remote(?) regions, a land of far-reaching {lit., dis-
tant) stretches {lit., leagues), the bodies of their widespread-
ing hosts I poured out like water. With the corpses of their
warriors I filled the wide plain. His booty, his cattle, his
family (?), and his property I carried away to my city Assur.
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SHALMANESER I 41
118. Shepherd, duly appointed, whose name Anu and
Bel named for the days to come, am I; of an ancient line
(everlasting seed), one who knows the gods; son of Adad-
nirari, perfect of Bel, priest of Assur, (grand)son of Arik-
den-ilu, prefect of Bel, priest of Assur.
1 19. When > Eharsagkurkurra, the temple of my lord
Assur, which Ushpia, priest of Assur, my ancestor, had built
aforetime, fell into ruins, then my ancestor Erishu, priest of
Assur, restored it. One hundred and fifty-nine (159) years
passed after the reign of Erishu and that temple (again) fell
into ruins. Then Shamshi-Adad, priest of Assur, restored it. 1
Five hundred and eighty (580) years elapsed, and that temple
which Shamshi-Adad, priest of Assur, had restored, became
old and weak {lit., gray and old), fire broke out in it, its
sacred edifice, every sanctuary ( ashar sagi ), the shrines, the
vestments, yea, all the property of the temple of Assur my
lord, were burned with fire.
120. At that time I tore down the temple in its totality,
I cleared away the earth from it, went down to its founda-
tion, built its foundation walls of mighty stones, like the
structure of the mountains. An illustrious temple, a lofty
dwelling-place, a noble shrine, a magnificent abode, whose
front was higher than (that) of the earlier (shrine), cunningly
constructed, manifesting glory, befitting the dignity of his
exalted divinity, worthy of his sovereignty, I restored with
great care {lit., I went to much trouble and restored) for
Assur, my lord. Over against its foundations, (tablets of)
stone, silver, gold, iron, bronze, lead (together with) herbs
1 The fragment of an old Assyrian text published by Sheil in the Recueil de
Travaux, XXII, 155 f., and again by Clay, Babylonian Records (Morgan), IV, No. 14,
is almost certainly from a duplicate (with a few variants) of this text of Shalmaneser.
It reads: “ prefect of B 41 , priest of Assur prefect of Bel, priest of
Assur: ruins(?), builder of the temple of the abode of Enlil
( NUN-NAM-NIR ) When Eharsagkurkurra, the lofty abode
which Ushpia (or Aushpia?), my ancestor, priest of Assur, had built afore-
time, fell into ruins, then Erishu priest of Assur (re)built it. izo[+39
years] passed [after the reign of Erishu.] ”
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42 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
in herbs I placed. In oil, choice oil, resin (blood of cedar),
honey (?) and butter (or, cream), I laid its walls. From its
foundation to its top I rebuilt it. I set up my memorial
tablet, I established its feasts.
121. When the lord Assur enters that temple and makes
his joyful abode in its noble shrine, may he look upon the
splendid work(s) (which I performed upon) that temple, may
he rejoice, may he hear my prayers, listen to my supplica-
tions, the decree for the peace of my priesthood, for my pos-
terity in the priesthood, for joy of reign, by his exalted word,
for the days to come, may he mightily decree.
122. The memorial tablets of former kings I anointed
with oil, poured libations upon them, and to their places I
returned them.
123. In days to come may some future prince, when this
temple becomes old and ( Left Edge ) falls to ruins, recall the
pious deeds of my hands (strength), the glory of my prowess
may he proclaim. As I returned the memorial tablets of
former princes to their places, so may he anoint my stele
with oil, pom- libations upon it and return it to its place.
(Then) Assur and the Lady of the temple will hear his
prayers. Whoever disturbs my stele and blots out the writing
of my name, may Assur, the mighty god, who dwells in
Eharsagkurkurra, the Igigi of heaven and the Anunaki of
earth, all of them, look with disfavor upon him and with a
terrible curse may they curse him in their anger. His name
and seed may they destroy from the land. May some hostile
king seize his throne and give his land to whom he pleases.
Month of Sha-sarate, eponymy of Mushallim-Assur.
124. 2. Another stone tablet commemorating the restoration of
Assur’s temple bore the following inscription (published in KAH,
I, No. 14) :
Shalmaneser, prefect of Bel, priest of Assur, son of Adad-
nirari, prefect of Bel, priest of Assur.
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SHALMANESER I 43
When Eharsagkurkurra, the temple of Assur, my lord,
which in days of old, the kings, my fathers, had built, became
old and decayed, and that temple had been destroyed in a
conflagration of fire; at that time I tore down the temple of
my lord Assur in its totality, I cleared away the ground from
it and penetrated to its foundation. Its foundation walls I
constructed of heavy masonry, (firm) as the structure of a
mountain. The temple of Assur, my lord, I made larger than
it had been before. The namaru of the gate of the Lamasse,
and the namaru which extends from the mushlalu 1 to the
place of the court (? ashar kisalli ) of Enlil, at the entrance, —
those two namari, which had not existed before, I built ac-
cording to plan. The place of the court of Enlil I made much
larger than it had been before. The temple of Assur, my lord,
totally, from its foundation to its roof I rebuilt. Therein I
established the gods who dwell in the temple of my lord
and set up my memorial stele. Let the prince who comes
after (me) return my inscription to its place, and Assur will
hear his prayers. But the man who blots out my inscription
and name, may Assur, the lord, overthrow his kingdom,
destroy his name and seed from the land.
Month of Sha-kindte, eponymy of ... . nadin-shumate.
125. 3. More details of the rebuilding of Eharsagkurkurra are
given in the inscription on a clay tablet, the text of which appears in
KAE, I, No. 15.
Shalmaneser, prefect of B61, priest of Assur, the mighty
king, king of all peoples, ruler (lit., shepherd; perhaps, fold)
of the tribes of men; who cares for the temple, beloved of the
exalted god Enlil; who bums the foe, who is unsparing, lord
of battle, consuming the enemy, harsh toward the un-
faithful, who humbles the wicked (foe), tramples on the
mighty, subjugates all mountain districts, who overthrows
to the remote(st) regions the widespreading Kuti, like
1 See Index to Vol. II.
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44 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
grain (?),' who conquers the Lulubi and Shubari, who plun-
ders the evil foe, north and south; son of Adad-nirari, prefect
of BS 1 , priest of Assur; (grand) son of Arik-den-ilu, prefect
of Bel, priest of Assur.
When I built the high namari in Eharsagkurkurra, the
temple of Assur, my lord, by(?) the upper (or, shining)
gates(?) of the Lamasse, on a base(?) of copper I placed
large panels(?); cornice, molding, columns (doorposts),
and door-leaves of copper I set up. At that time the old
bit hiburni, which the kings, my fathers, (Rev.) had built
aforetime, ... to increase the width to (?) those
bit hiburni I r burned(?) 1 , in their totality I tore them down.
Sixteen (?) cubits I increased the width. I made its inner wall
x bricks thick, its outer wall, 2 bricks, and I built the erinakki.
hiburni and radati I restored to their places, made them
larger than they were before, from their foundation to their
tops I rebuilt and completed them, and set up my memorial
stele. The stele of my ancestors I anointed with oil,
of stone, silver and gold to their places I restored
them.
In future days let the prince, who comes after (me), when
that work shall become old and fall to ruins, restore its ruins,
and, as I did not remove the memorial steles of the kings, my
ancestors, (but) restored (them) to their places, (so) let him
restore my memorial steles to their places, and Assur will
hear his prayers.
126. But the one who blots out my inscription and my
name, may Assur, the lord, overthrow his kingdom, destroy
his name and his seed from the land; may a hostile king take
away his throne, and give his land to whom he pleases.
Month of Sha-sarate, eponymy of Assur-k&shid.
1 Shube, “standing com”(?), a word occurring frequently in the early Assyrian
texts.
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SHALMANESER I 45
127. 3. On a door-socket stood the inscription whose text is pub-
lished in KAH, II, No. 44.
To Assur, his lord, Shalmaneser, prefect of Enlil, priest of
Assur, son of Adad-nirari, priest of Assur, son of Arik-den-ilu,
priest of Assur: the temple of Assur, my lord, in its totality,
from its foundation to its top I rebuilt. I made it greater
than (it was) before. For my life (and) the peace of my seed,
and the welfare of Assyria, to Assur, my lord, I presented
(this door-socket).
128. 4. And on another door-socket stood this inscription (text,
KAH, II, No. 46):
To Assur, my lord, (I) Shalmaneser, priest of Assur, son
of Adad-nirari, priest of Assur, son of Arik-den-ilu, priest of
Assur, presented (this door-socket).
n. RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE OF
ISHTAR OF ASSUR
129. The restoration of the temple of Ishtar of Assur is commemo-
rated in an inscription on an alabaster tablet (text, KAH, II, No. 42).
Shalmaneser, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of
Adad-nirari, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of Arik-
den-ilu, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur.
When the temple of the Assyrian 1 Ishtar, my lady, which
Ilu-shuma, priest of Assur, my ancestor, son of Shalim-ahu,
priest of Assur, had built aforetime and completed, — that
temple fell into decay, and Sargon (Sharru-kin), priest of
Assur, son of Ikunu, priest of Assur, restored it. Again it
fell into decay and Puzur-Assur, my ancestor, priest of
Assur, son of Assur-nirari, priest of Assur, restored it. (Once
more) that temple fell to decay, and Adad-nirari, my father,
priest of Assur, restored it. Then I, Shalmaneser, prefect of
Enlil, priest of Assur, repaired the weak places of that temple,
stopped up its breaches (? tirati), and set up my memorial
stele.
1 Ashshdrttu, i.e., of Assur, the old capital.
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4 6 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
The one who destroys my inscription and my name, may
Assur overthrow his rule, and destroy his name and his seed
from the land. May Ishtar, the lady, bring about the de-
struction of his land. Before his enemy may he not be able
to stand. May Adad destroy his land with his evil lightning
(and) bring famine on his land.
HI. RESTORATION OF THE COURT OF THE
NINEVITE ISHTAR AT ASSUR
130. On a tablet of gold 1 is found the following inscription (text,
KAH, II, No. 43):
Shalmaneser, king of the universe, the mighty king, king
of Assyria, son of Adad-nirari, king of Assyria, (grand) son
of Arik-den-ilu, king of Assyria.
When the former court of the Ninevite (Ishtar), my lady,
which the kings who went before me, had built aforetime,
fell into decay, from its foundation to its top I rebuilt (it).
To its place I restored it, and set up my memorial stele.
IV. PALACE INSCRIPTION
131. The text on bricks from Shalmaneser’s palace at Assur is
given in AKA, p. 13, and KAH, II, Nos. 45 and 47.
Palace of Shalmaneser, king of the universe, son of Adad-
nirari, king of the universe.
V. REPAIRS ON THE GATE OF LIBUR-
SHALHI AT ASSUR
132. An alabaster tablet (now in the British Museum, No. 1x5,691)
from the Gate of Libur-Shalhi was inscribed as follows (text, KAH, II,
No. 41):
Shalmaneser, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of Adad-
nirari, priest of Assur, son of Arik-den-ilu, priest of Assur.
When the gate of Libur-Shalhi which is at the side (? or,
‘The golden tablets of Shalmaneser I, Tukulti-Urta, Shalmaneser III, and
Sargon were what we should call “foundation deposits.” The ceremony connected
with their deposition is described in the first of Shalmaneser’s inscriptions given
above (see § 120).
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SHALMANESER I 47
to the right) of the bU-salme of the gate of Assur, my lord,
which had been built aforetime, fell to decay, I cleared away
its ruins, repaired its weak places and rebuilt the fallen parts,
from its foundation to its top; and I set up my memorial stele.
Let the prince, who comes after (me) restore its ruins, let
him return my inscription to its place, and Assur will hear
his prayers. But whoever destroys my inscription and name,
may Assur, my lord, overthrow his rule, and bring famine on
(his) land.
The month of Hibur, the eponymy of Mushabshiu-Sibi.
VI. RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE OF
ISHTAR OF NINEVEH
133. From the fragments of bowl inscriptions, published by King
in the Appendix to his Records of the Reign of Tukulti-Ninib I, it has
been possible to reconstruct a text of Shalmaneser recording the resto-
ration of the temple of Ishtar of Nineveh. 1
134. [Shalmaneser, the great king, etc
son of Adad’-nir&ri, [the great king,] the mighty king, king of
the [universe, king of Assyria, (grand)son of Arik-den-ilu,
the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of]
Assyria; conqueror of r the Shubari 1 , the r Lullumi
Musri; 1 who, trusting in Ishtar, his lady, [marched
forth; who has no rival; the king], who in the midst of battle
[has fought] their
135. When the temple of Ishtar, lady of Nineveh, my
lady, [which] Shamshi-[Adad had built
which] Assur-uballit, my [ancestor], had restored, — that
temple in the street I repaired its weak
places, and its fallen (parts) 1 renewed and re-
stored] them to their place. That temple from its foundation
to its [top I completed my memorial stele] and
cylinders ( perhaps , bowls), I set up.
1 The bowl fragments were found at Kuyunjik and are now in the British
Museum.
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48 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
136. [Let (some) future prince restore its ruins, ]
and as I (returned) the memorials of Assur-uballit, so may
he r retum my memorials to their places.] (Then) Ishtar will
hear his prayers.
( Here followed the usual curses .)
137. A fifth fragment ( op . cit., pp. 133 f.) contains part of the name
of Shalmaneser and portions of well-known phrases from his more
perfectly preserved inscriptions, but the work commemorated cannot
be determined from the few words that are left.
138. A sixth 1 fragment (op. cit., pp. 135 f.) reads as follows:
[Shalmaneser 1 , [prefect of Bel, priest] of Assur, the mighty
king, [king of all peoples, ruler 1 of the tribes of men; who cares
for [the temple, beloved] of Enlil; conqueror of the mi ghty,
[and faithless, enemies of Assur; who overthrows] to the re-
motest regions, the host of the Kuti, [like ; who
conquers the Lullumi 1 and Shubari; who tramples on the
lands of the enemy; [ . son of Adad-nirari,
etc (grand) son of Arik]-den-ilu, prefect of Bel,
priest of Assur.
When fell to ruins and were destroyed (plun-
dered), the temple towers [Ishtar 1 , my lady,
their weak places I removed, their fallen (parts) [the
whole temple] I rebuilt and I set up my memorial stele and
cylinder.
(The usual blessings and curses followed .)
VII. STELE INSCRIPTION
139. On Shalmaneser’s stele at Assur was the short inscription
(Andrae, Slelenreihen, pp. 38 f.):
Belonging to Shalmaneser, king of the universe.
'King’s seventh. His sixth (and eighth) fragments belong to Tukulti-Urta,
not to Shalmaneser.
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CHAPTER V
INSCRIPTIONS OF TUKULTI-URTA I
140. The event in Tukulti-Urta’s reign that undoubtedly made the
deepest impression on his age was the capture of Babylon. The writer
of the Babylonian Chronicle (82-7-4, 38) has much to tell about the
struggles between the Assyrian and the Kassite kings, but, with the
exception of Adad-nirari’s statement that his grandfather, Enlil-nirari,
was the “destroyer of the armies of the Kassites,” until we reach the
reign of Tukulti-Urta the Assyrian sources are silent. Evidently this
vigorous ruler did not believe in halfway measures. Kashtiliash, the
Kassite king, was forced to give battle, was defeated and carried cap-
tive before Assur, the god of his conqueror. The date of Tukulti-Urta
I is ca. 1250 b.c.
For purposes of comparison the relevant passage from the Baby-
lonian Chronicle (Col. IV, 1-13) is given here (text, King, Records of
the Reign of Tukulli-Ninib I, p. 96).
141. The defeat of Kashtiliash he brought about
Before Urta he set him Tukulti-Urta returned to
Babylon and they drew near to Babylon. The wall
of Babylon he destroyed, the Babylonians he put to the
sword. The treasure of Esagila and Babylon he profanely
brought forth and the great lord Marduk he removed from
his abode and carried him off to Assyria. The rule (lit., way)
of his governors he established in Karduniash (Babylonia).
For seven years Tukulti-Urta ruled. Thereafter the nobles
of Akkad and of Karduniash revolted and they set Adad-
shum-usur on the throne of his father. As for Tukulti-Urta,
who had brought evil upon Babylon, Assur-nasir-pal, his
son, and the nobles of Assyria, revolted and they cast him
from his throne; in Kar-Tukulti-Urta they besieged him in
his palace and slew him with the sword. For -six
years, until the time of Tukulti- Assur, Bel (Marduk) dwelt
49
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50 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
in Assyria; in the reign of Tukulti- Assur, Bel came (back) to
Babylon.
I. INSCRIPTIONS COMMEMORATING THE REBUILD-
ING OF THE PALACE IN ASSUR
142. 1. Inscription on a stone slab, published in KAE, II, No. 58:
Tukulti-Urta, king of universe, king of Assyria, king of
the four quarters (of the world), the Sun of all peoples, the
mighty king, king of Karduniash (Babylonia), king of Sumer
and Akkad, king of the upper (and) lower sea, king of the
mountains and the wide (desert) plains, king of the Shubari
(and) Kuti, and king of all the Nairi-lands; the king whom
the gods have caused to attain unto his heart’s desire (lit.,
victory) and who, through the splendor of his might, has
made himself ruler of the four regions (of the world), am I;
son of Shalmaneser, king of the universe, king of Assyria;
(grand)son of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, king of
Assyria.
143 . At the beginning of my rule, in my first year of reign,
the Kuti, Ukumani, the lands of Elhunia and Sharnida, (and)
Mehri, my hand conquered. The tribute of their lands, and
the abundance of their mountains, yearly I received, in my
city Assur.
At that time the Kurti, the lands of Kutmuhi, Bushshi,
Mummi, Alzi, Madani, Nihani, Alaia, Teburzi, Burukuzzi,
the whole of the wide Shubari-land, I burned with fire. The
kings, their rulers, I brought in submission to my feet and
imposed taskwork.
144. Remote(P) 1 mountains, where there were no roads,
whose paths no (former) king knew, in the strength of my
transcendent might I crossed and forty-three kings of the
Nairi-lands boldly took their stand, offering battle. I fought
with them, I brought about their overthrow. With their
* KAH, II, No. 60, 1 . 40, has "mighty” mountains.
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TUKULTI-URTA I 51
blood I flooded the ravines and gullies of the mountains. All
of their lands I brought under my sway. I imposed tribute
and gifts (toll) upon them for all time.
145. Trusting in Assur, Enlil (Bel) and Shamash, the
great gods, my lords, (and) with the help of Ishtar, queen of
heaven and earth, who went at the head of my army, I
forced Kashtilash, king of Karduniash (Babylonia), to give
battle; I brought about the defeat of his armies, his warriors
I overthrew. In the midst of that battle my own hand cap-
tured Kashtilash, the Kassite king. His royal neck I trod on
with my feet, like a galtappi. Stripped and bound, before
Assur my lord, I brought him. Sumer and Akkad to its
farthest border, I brought under my sway. On the lower sea
of the rising sun, I established the border ( i.e ., frontier) of
my land.
146. At that time, in the temple area of my city Assur, on
the north side, I cleared away great (quantities) of earth
from wide areas, 20 musard, by the rod(?). Below I built
(lit., brought) up its foundation. [Like] the solid moun-
tain I made strong [its foundation walls]. I built Elugal-
ukurkurra, my royal dwelling, which I love. From its foun-
dation to its top I completed it, and I set up my memorial
stele.
147. In the days to come, let (some) future prince, when
that palace becomes old and falls into decay, restore its
ruins, anoint my memorial stele with oil, offer sacrifices, and
return it to its place. (Then) Assur and Adad will hear his
prayers. He who blots out my inscribed name and writes his
name (in its stead), who destroys my memorial stele, puts
it in some other place, or some hidden place, whoever plans
and does any such evil deed or if he prevents the gods who
dwell in Assur from entering into my palace at the feasts, or
directs them to another palace, causing them to leave that
palace and to desert it, may Assur and Adad, the gods of
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52 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
heaven and earth, ruin his kingdom, destroy his name and
his seed from the land. May the king, who would harm him,
deprive him of his throne (and) give his land to whomever
he pleases. May Ishtar, the lady, lover of the years of my
rule, bring about the overthrow of his land. Before his foes
may he not be able to stand. Into the hand of his foes may
she give him.
2. Another inscription on a damaged stone slab is published in
KAE, I, No. 16:
148. Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, king of Assyria,
the mighty king, king of the four quarters of the world,
favorite of Assur, priest of Assur, the king whose pious works
are well pleasing to the gods of heaven and earth, and to
whose scepter they gave the command to rule the four quar-
ters of the earth; whom they made powerful in all regions, and
whose hand conquered all who refused him submission; who
seizes the enemies’ lands, who extends his border (s); the
mighty king, favorite of the great gods, of royal lineage,
whose priesthood in the temple and rule over all peoples,
Enlil (Bel) made great from days of old, am I. The son of
Shalmaneser, king of the universe, king of Assyria, (grand)-
son of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, king of Assyria.
149. Then, from Tarsina, an inaccessible(P) mountain
between the city of Shasila (and) the city of Barpanish on the
other side of the Lower Zab, from the mountains of Sukushki
and Lalar, [the region 1 of the widespreading Kuti, and the
Ukumani, the land of Elhunia, up to [Shamida], the lands
of Mehri, r Kurti(?) 1 [Kutmuhi 1 , Bushshe, 'Mumme 1 , and all
of the Kashiari region; the lands of Alzi, [Madani], Nihani 1 ,
Alaia, [Teburzi(?) and Burukuzzi, 1 all of the widespreading
[Shubari], in their totality, to the limit 1 [of their territory],
r I accomplished 1 [their overthrow].
150. (Rev.) and Assur, to
all I established. Prince r without a rival 1 , shep-
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TUKULTI-URTA I S3
herd who cares for them, of their am I. When
the ... of my palace .... in its totality, the temple towers
of [Assur my lord 1 [had fallen level with] the ground, the
palace, my royal abode, the palace in which I take delight,
I rebuilt and set up my memorial stele.
151. In the days to come, let (some) future prince re-
store its ruins, let him anoint my stele with oil, offer sacrifices
(and) return it to its place. [Then] Assur and Adad will
hear his prayers.
Month (left blank ) eponymy (left blank).
3. A third inscription on a stone slab, also badly damaged, is
published in KAH, I, No. 17.
152. ( Obv .) Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, the
mighty king, king of Assyria, conqueror of the mighty,
r and(?) 1 faithless, enemies of Assur, destroyer of the lands of
the Ukumani and Kurt!, who were insubmissive and all of
them evil people; who tramples down the land of Kutmuhi,
the armies of the Kut! (in their) mountain fastnesses; who
overthrows the forces of the land of Shubari in [its] totality;
who destroys the land of Alzi and Purukussi, r all of whom 1
were insubmissive. The duly appointed prince, who, under
the protection of Assur and the great gods, advances to the
four corners (of the earth); who has neither subduer nor
conqueror; who seizes the enemies’ country, north and south;
the great king, mighty in battle, who has brought under his
sway all the lands of the Nairi, and has brought 'forty-three 1
kings, their rulers, in submission to his feet; who has added
the lands of Azalzi and Shepardi to the territory of his coun-
try; who has accomplished the overthrow of the land of
Sumer and Akkad; [who has overthrown^) 1 the land of
Pil- and ; the son of Shalmaneser, king of
Assyria, (grand) son of Adad-nirari, king of Assyria.
153. When the buildings of my palace [in the midst] of
my city Assur, (the ones) which [face(?)] the east, (and are)
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54 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
before the 'great 1 temple towers of Assur, my lord, which
aforetime Shalmaneser, prefect of Bel, priest of Assur, my
father, had built, fell to ruins, I cleared away its ruins, I pene-
trated to its foundation, I completely restored it from its
foundation walls to its roof, and set up my memorial stele.
Let (some) future prince restore its ruins, return my inscrip-
tion to its place. (Then) Assur will hear his prayers. But
whoever blots out my inscription and name, may Assur, the
lord, overthrow his kingdom, and destroy his name and seed
from the land.
Eponymy of Ina-Assur-shuma-asbat.
154. 4. On pp. 164 f., of Andrae, Fest., is given a text of Tukulti-
Urta which had to do with the rebuilding of the palace. The limestone
block on which the inscription stood was split in two so that only the
right-hand half of the lines is preserved. In the translation, the restora-
tions suggested by Delitzsch are followed.
155. 'Tukulti-Urta 1 , king of the universe, [the mighty
king, king] of Assyria, [king of the four regions (of the world),
kin g of kings 1 , lord of lords, [rightful ruler], conqueror of the
[mighty] faithless [enemies] of the god Assur; who tramples
down the Ukumani, [the Kutmuhi (in their) mountain fort-
resses 1 ; [who destroys the armies] of the hostile Kuti; who
overthrows [the forces] of the land of Shubari [in its totality 1 ,
together with the distant ’Nairi-lands 1 , to their farthest
border (lit. to the boundary of the place); [who seizes] the
four regions (of the earth), north [and south]; son of Shal-
maneser, [king of Assyria], (grand)son of Adad-nirari, [king
of Assyria].
156. Then [in the heart(P) 1 of my city Assur, from the
temple tower of Adad, [my lord], up to the Tabira(?) I -gate
on the north 'side 1 (of the city), 'many 1 houses, (over) wide
areas, r and great 1 masses of earth, .... I cleared away, 80
musarfi. Below, I made strong its foundation, like the solid
1 “Metal-workers.”
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TUKULTI-URTA I 55
mountain. I raised aloft its summit of limestone(?) r and
brick 1 . Its foundation [I made strong] r as the structure^) 1 of
the mountain. Elugalukurkurra, for my royal abode, for
the of the assembly of the gods, who have made
great my sovereignty, from its foundation to its top I rebuilt,
and I set up my stele.
i 57 * 5- Brick inscriptions from the palace are given in KAH, I,
No. 70; ibid., II, No. 57; ibid.; No. 53; and Lehmann-Haupt, Material-
ien, Nos. 4 and 5.
Palace of Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, son of Shal-
maneser, king of the universe. (Brick) from Elugalukur-
kurra, the new palace.
158. 6. On a potsherd is found the dedicatory inscription of one
of Tukulti-Urta’s governors (text, KAH, II, No. 56).
Palace of Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, son of Shal-
maneser, king of Assyria, (grand) son of Adad-nirari, king of
Assyria.
(That) which (is from) the hand of Nasir-makkur-sharri,
the governor of Kar-Tukulti-Urta.
H. REPAIRS ON THE CITY WALL AND MOAT
159. The inscription recording this work is on a zigatu; text in
KAH, I, No. 18, and Andrae, Fest., p. 163, with photograph on Tafel
XCHI.
Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, the mighty king, king
of Assyria, king of the four quarters (of the world), Sun of all
peoples, son of Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, (grand)son of
Adad-nirari, king of the universe, king of Assyria.
160. When the wall of my city Assur, the old (lit., former)
one, which the kings who preceded me had built, fell to ruins
and became old, I cleared away its ruins, rebuilt that wall and
restored it to its place. A great moat, such as (lit., which)
none of the kings who preceded me had dug, a great moat I
dug around (lit., to surround) the whole wall. Its foundation,
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56 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
the solid rock (lit., structure) of the mountain, I widened
with bronze pickaxes, twenty musarii. Below, I reached the
water level, and in that wall I set up my foundation cylinder.
161. Let (some) future prince repair its ruins, return my
foundation cylinder to its place. (Then) Assur will hear his
prayers. But whoever blots out my inscription (and) my
name, may Assur, the lord, overthrow his kingdom and de-
stroy his name and seed from the land.
HI. INSCRIPTIONS COMMEMORATING THE FOUND-
ING OF THE SUBURB OF ASSUR CALLED
KAR-TUKULTI-URTA
162. Three inscriptions were written in commemoration of this
event. Two are published in KAH, II, Nos. 60 and 61. The original of
the latter is now in the British Museum (No. 1x5,692). The third
text, from another memorial slab in the British Museum (No. 98,494),
was published by King in Records of the Reign of Tuknlti-Ninib I.
163. 1. (KAH, II, No. 60) Tukulti-Urta, king of the uni-
verse, the mighty king, king of Assyria, king of Sumer and
Akkad, king of the four regions (of the world), favorite of
Assur and Shamash, am I. The honored prince, the king fa-
vored of Enlil, who rules his land in safety with his peaceful
scepter (lit., in the peace of his scepter) ; high priest, called by
Anu, who by the power of his might has subjugated princes
(and) all kings; rightful ruler (lit., true shepherd), who re-
joices the heart of Ea, who has established his years in might
over the four regions of the world; exalted priest, beloved of
Sin, who with his outstretched scepter has ordered aright
peoples and tribes (lit., habitations); strong warrior, handi-
work of Adad, who, in the years of his reign, has restored (lit.,
renewed) plenty and abundance; mighty hero, favorite of
Urta, who in the power of his might has consumed every
region (of the world) ; powerful giant, beloved of Ishtar, who
receives the tribute of the land of the rising and of the setting
sun; son of Shalmaneser, king of the universe, king of Assyria,
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TUKULTI-URTA I 57
(grand) son of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, king of
Assyria.
164. On my accession to the royal throne, in my first
year of reign, I carried off 28,800' Hittite warriors from the
other side of the Euphrates, and in the Iauri mountains, my
hand conquered the Kurti and Ukumani as far as Sharnida
(and) Mehri. The tribute of their lands and the abundance
of their mountains, yearly I received. Kutmuhi, Bushshi,
Alzi, Madani, Nihani, Alaia, Teburzi, Burukuzzi, — all of the
widespreading Shubari, with fire I burned. The kings, their
rulers, I brought in submission to my feet and imposed task-
work.
165. Mighty mountains, a wearisome region, whose paths
no (former) king knew, I crossed in the strength of my
transcendent might, I cut through their ranges with bronze
axes and opened wide their closed paths. I fought in battle
with 43 kin gs of the Nairi-lands, I brought about the defeat
of their armies. All their lands I brought under my sway.
The kings of those Nairi-lands, I galled their necks with cop-
per fetters. To Ekur (or, the temple), the great mountain,
my tutelary shrine, before Assur, my lord, I brought them.
I made them take the oath by the great gods of heaven and
earth. Tribute and gifts for all time I imposed upon them.
166. Under the protection of Assur, Enlil, Shamash, Sin,
the great gods, my lords, and with the help of Ishtar, queen
of heaven and earth, who goes before my hosts, I forced Kash-
tiliash, king of Karduniash (Babylonia), to give battle. I
brought about the defeat of his armies, his warriors I over-
threw. In the midst of that battle my own hand captured
Kashtiliash, the Kassite king. I carried him stripped and
bound before Assur, my lord. Sumer and Akkad, in its total-
ity, I brought under my sway. The lands of Mari, Hana,
Rapiku, and the mountains of the Ahlami, the lands of
1 Eight sars. A sar is 3,600.
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58 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Hargamush, Mukanash, Bit-makki, Blt-Kulla, Akriash,
Sikkuri, Huzush, Turnasuma, Hashshiluna, Shada, Sappane,
Tursinuhlia, Duri, Uzamia, Harnaphi, Shaddishshe, Ulaiash,
Ulmuiaus(?) ; Hussaush, Ezaush, Damnaush, Arinni, Birite,
Arraphi, Kurbata, Agalishna, Shadappa, Kamzikla, Kam-
marash, Elure, Kammienza, Albada, Sikabda, Shabila, —
these I brought under one rule. The tribute of their lands and
the abundance of their mountains they brought before me.
The prince, recipient of their gifts (bribes), the shepherd,
their guardian, and the leader, who guides them aright, am I.
167. At that time Assur, the lord, desired a city of me,
across the river from my city, Bait-ilani, and commanded the
building of his abode. At the command of Assur, the god
who loves me, opposite my city Assur, on the bank of the
Tigris, in the wastes of the flooded fields, where neither house
nor dwelling existed, (where) neither rubbish nor earth had
been poured, and (where) bricks had not been laid, I built
Assur’s city on the other side of the river. Kar-Tukulti-Urta
I called its name. Cutting through the low-lying places ac-
cording to the cord and carrying it across the difficult (places)
of the high mountains through tunnels (lit., tunneled rock),
I opened up a canal ( mihirtu ),' called “Establishing the Life
of the Land, Bringing Abundance,” and caused the fields of
my city to be abundantly watered. By the abundance of the
waters of that canal, I secured fixed dues for Assur and the
great gods, my lords, for all time.
168. At that time, in my city Kar-Tukulti-Urta, the town
which I had built, I erected a holy house, an awe-inspiring
dwelling, (for) the abode of Assur, my lord. Ekurmesharra
I called its name. In it I completed a mighty temple tower
(ziggurrat), as a dwelling for Assur my lord, and set up my
memorial steles.
169. Let (some) future prince, when that temple tower
1 A new word for pattu or ndrtu.
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TUKULTI-URTA I 59
and the temple of Assur, my lord, fall into decay, restore
their ruins, let him anoint my memorial steles with oil, offer
sacrifices, and return them to their places. (Then) Assur,
Enlil (Bel) and Shamash will hear his prayers. Who does not
restore the ruins of the temple tower and the temple of Assur,
my lord, and blots out my inscribed name, or destroys that
temple tower by leaving it in an unseen or evil (place), who
plans any evil matter, or carries it out against that temple
tower and that temple of Assur, my lord, may Assur, Enlil
(Bel) and Shamash, the gods, my protectors, afflict him with
sorrow (lit., sighing) and evil of heart. In war and battle may
they shatter his weapons, may they bring about the defeat of
his armies, may they give him into the hand of the king who
would do him harm, and in the land of his enemies may they
let him sit in bonds, may they overthrow his kingdom, his
name and his seed, may they destroy from the land.
170. 2. (KAE, II, No. 61)
the exalted prince his
Ea Adad .... the lady, decisions
strong .... beloved of the gods, storm of battle
.... mighty, an onset not to be met, favorite of the heart of
Ishtar, queen of the gods of heaven and earth, beloved of the
Igigi; the mighty king, king of Assyria, king of Karduniash
(Babylonia), king of Sumer and Akkad, king of Sippar and
Babylon, king of Dilmun and Meluhha, king of the upper and
the lower seas, king of mountains and widespreading (desert)
plains, king of the Shubari, Kuti and all the Nairi-lands; the
king who obeys (hears) his gods, who receives the heavy
tribute of the four regions (of the world) in the city of Assur;
son of Shalmaneser, king of the universe, king of Assyria;
(grand)son of Adad-nirkri, king of the universe, king of
Assyria.
171. On my accession to the royal throne, 28,800 Hittite
warriors from the other side of the Euphrates, I carried off,
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6o ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
and in the midst of the Iauri mountains my hands conquered
the Kuti, Ukumani, the lands of Elhunia and Shamida, (and)
Mehri. I accomplished the defeat of the widespreading
Kurti warriors in the midst of battle. Kutmuhi, Alzi,
Madani, Nihani, Alaia, Teburzi(?), Burukuzzi and all of the
widespreading Shubarl, I brought under my sway. The re-
mote^) mountains of the Nairi-lands I cut through, accord-
ing to the cord. Forty-three kings and their queens, I brought
in submission to my feet.
172. At that time, I forced Kashtiliash, king of Kar-
duniash (Babylonia), to offer battle. The defeat of his armies
I brought about. In that battle my own hand captured Kash-
tiliash, the Kassite king. Stripped and bound I carried him
before Assur, my lord. The whole of Sumer and Akkad I
brought under my sway. In joy of heart and in might I stood
over them.
173. At that time Assur, the lord, desired a city of me,
across the river from my city, Bait-ilani, and commanded
the building of his abode. At the command of Assur, the god
who loves me, opposite my city Assur, on the bank of the
Tigris, in the wastes of the flooded fields, where neither house
nor dwelling existed, (where) no rubbish or earth had been
poured, and (where) bricks had not been laid, I built Assur’s
city on the other side of the river. Kar-Tukulti-Urta I called
its name. Cutting through the low-lying places according to
the cord, and carrying (it) across the difficult (places) of the
high mountains through tunnels, I opened up a canal called
“Establishing the Life of the Land, Bringing Abundance,”
and caused the fields of my city to be abundantly watered.
By the abundance of the waters of that canal I secured fixed
dues for Assur and the great gods, my lords, for all time.
174. At that time I built Bit /for the dwelling
1 Although the traces of the signs as given in the text are not in its favor, it
seems probable that btt-sigurrata, “temple tower,” should be restored in this place.
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TUKULTI-URTA I 61
of Assur, my lord. From its foundation to its roof I com-
pleted it. And I set up my memorial steles. Let (some)
future prince, when
The introduction to the third inscription, B.M. 98,494, is an ab-
breviated copy of that of the preceding text and takes up the whole of
the obverse and the first three lines of the reverse of the tablet.
175. 3. (Rev. 4/.) At that time Assur, the lord Bel, de-
sired a city of me, across the river from my city, and com-
manded the building of his abode. By the side of Bait-ilani, I
built a great city as my royal dwelling-place. Kar-Tukulti-
Urta I called its name. In its midst I completed a temple for
Assur, Adad, Shamash, Urta, Nusku, Nergal, the Seven, and
Ishtar, the great gods, my lords. A direct canal for its sanc-
tuaries, I opened up. By the abundance of the waters of that
canal, I secured fixed dues for the great gods, my lords, for
all time.
176. In the midst of that city I took great (quantities)
of earth (from) beside the Tigris, and piled (it) up 120 tikpi
high. Above those tikpi I built a palace correspondingly
large, a mighty palace, (for) my royal abode.
177. At that time the wall of Kar-Tukulti-Urta, the great
city, the bulwark(?) of my dominion, I built. From its
foundation to its top I completed it, and I set up my me-
morial tablet.
178. In the days to come, let (some) future prince, when
that wall shall become old and fall to decay, repair its ruins,
anoint my memorial tablet with oil, offer sacrifices and re-
store it to its place. (Then) Assur will hear his prayers.
Whoever shall destroy that wall and blot out my memorial
tablet (with) my name inscribed (thereon), or shall abandon
Kar-Tukulti-Urta, my royal city, or shall overthrow it (lit.,
cast it down), may Assur ruin his kingdom, shatter his
weapons, and bring about the defeat of his armies; may he
dimini sh his boundaries, and decree the cutting short of his
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62 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
reign; may he make his days sad and his years evil; his name
and his seed may he destroy from the land.
IV. REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE OF THE
ASSYRIAN ISHTAR
179. The restoration of the temple of Ishtar, built by Hu-shuma
(cf. §§ 26 and 129) seven hundred and eighty years before the time of
Tukulti-Urta, was commemorated by inscriptions on gold and stone.
Three have survived.
180. r. The text of the first inscription engraved on a gold tablet
is published in KAH, II, No. 48.
Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, the great king, the
king of Assyria, favorite of Assur, priest of Assur, rightful
ruler (lit., true shepherd), beloved of Ishtar, who subjected
the Kuti to their farthest border; son of Shalmaneser, priest
of Assur, (grand) son of Adad-nirari, priest of Assur.
181. When the temple of the Assyrian Ishtar, my lady,
which Ilu-shuma, my ancestor, priest of Assur, a king who
went before me, had built aforetime, — 780 years elapsed and
that temple fell into decay and became old; (then,) at the
beginning of my reign, I cleared away its ruins and pene-
trated to its foundations. That temple, a temple of (divine)
law, the abode of her delight, E-anna, the shrine of her
splendor, an awe-inspiring dwelling, which surpassed the
earlier (temple which was) before it, I (re)built and made it
bright as the heavenly abode. From its foundation to its
roof I completed it. My memorial stele I set up.
182. Let (some) future prince, when that temple shall be-
come old and fall into decay, restore it, let him make it shine
forth. Let him anoint my steles with oil, offer sacrifices,
and return them to their place. (Then) Ishtar will hear his
prayers. Whoever destroys my inscription (and) my name,
may Ishtar, the lady, shatter his weapon, into the hand of his
foes may she give him.
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TUKULTI-URTA I 63
183. 2. The text on the second gold tablet is published in KAH,
II, No. 51.
Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, the mighty king, king
of Assyria, son of Shalmaneser, king of Assyria.
When the temple of the Assyrian Ishtar, my lady, which
Ilu-shuma, my royal ancestor, had built aforetime, (when)
that temple fell into decay, I cleared away its ruins, its
ground I changed. The bit-shuhuru and namaru I built ac-
cording to plan. A noble shrine for the abode of Ishtar my
lady, I prepared. From its foundation to its top I rebuilt it.
184. 3. On a limestone slab stands the third surviving inscription
commemorating the restoration of Ish tar’s temple. The text is pub-
lished in KAH, II, No. 59.
185. Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, the mighty king,
king of Assyria, favorite of Assur, priest of Assur, rightful
ruler (true shepherd), beloved of Ishtar, who subjugates
the Kuti to (their) farthest border; son of Shalmaneser, priest
of Assur, (grand) son of Adad-nirari, priest of Assur.
186. When the temple of the Assyrian Ishtar, my lady,
which Ilu-shuma, my ancestor, priest of Assur, a king who
went before me, had built aforetime, — 780 years elapsed (and)
that temple fell into decay, and became old; then, at the
beginning of my reign, I cleared away its ruins, its founda-
tion I strengthened. That temple, a temple of (divine) law,
the abode of her delight, E-anna, the shrine of her splendor,
an awe-inspiring dwelling, which surpassed the earlier temple
which was before it, I rebuilt and made it bright like the
heavenly abode. From its foundation to its roof I completed
it, and I set up my memorial stele.
187. Let (some) future prince, when that temple shall be-
come old and fall into decay, restore it, let him make it
shine forth, let him anoint my memorial steles with oil, offer
sacrifices, and return them to their place. (Then) Assur will
hear his prayers. Whoever destroys my inscription and my
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64 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
name, may Ishtar, my lady, shatter his weapon, may she
give him into the hand of his foes.
1 88. At that time, at the beginning of my reign, Ishtar,
(my) lady, desired of me another temple, which should be
more splendid than the former E-anna, and that temple, as
the abode of Ishtar, my lady, who formerly possessed a
temple of the plain, a single (structure) for the dwelling of
Ishtar was established, but a bit-shahuru was not built in
front of it.
V. RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE OF
ISHTAR DlNITU
189. We have three versions of the account of Tukulti-Urta’s
restoration of the temple of Ishtar Dinitu. The first is on a stone slab
in the British Museum (No. 114,263), published in CT, XXXVI,
Plates 8-12; the second, on a stone slab and a tablet of gold, published
in KAH, II, No. 49; the third, briefer, on a golden tablet, in ibid.,
No. 52.
190. i. Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, the mighty
king, king of Assyria; king of kings, lord of lords, prince of
princes, the ruler (who is) lord of all; conqueror of the power-
ful, and faithless, enemies of the god Assur; destroyer of the
princes of the Kuti as far as Mehri; who overthrows the forces
of the Shubari and the lands of the Nairi, — remote regions
(lit., paths), to their farthest border (lit., to the boundary of
the place). The mighty king who rules the four quarters (of
the world) after the gods, am I. The son of Shalmaneser,
king of the universe, king of Assyria, (grand)son of Adad-
nirari, king of the universe, king of Assyria.
191. At that time the temple of Dinitu, my lady, which
the former kings had built aforetime, — that temple fell to
ruins. I cleared away its ruins, I strengthened its founda-
tion. That temple from its foundation to its top I (re)built
and I completed. Therein I made a lofty shrine, an awe-
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TUKULTI-URTA I 65
inspiring abode, for the dwelling-place of Dinitu, my lady.
And I set up my memorial stele.
192. Let (some) future prince restore its ruins, let him
return my inscribed name to its place. (Then) Dinitu will
hear his prayers. He who destroys my inscription and my
name, may Dinitu, my lady, destroy his kingdom, may she
shatter his weapons, may she turn his manhood into woman-
hood, into the hands of his foes may she give him.
(On the top edge of the slab stands the name of the scribe :)
Tanitti-Assur, the scribe.
193. 2. Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, the mighty
king, king of Assyria, favorite of Assur, priest of Assur, right-
ful ruler (lit., true shepherd), beloved of Ishtar, who subject-
ed the Kuti to their farthest border; son of Shalmaneser,
priest of Assur, (grand) son of Adad-nirari, priest of Assur.
194. When the temple of Ishtar-dinitu, my lady, which
the kings, who went before me, had built aforetime: — that
temple had been in ruins from the time of Adad-nirari, priest
of Assur, my ancestor, had caved in, and had been plundered;
then, at the beginning of my reign, I cleared away its debris
(dirt), I strengthened its foundation. The holy temple, the
abode of her delight, E-anna, the perfect, the shrine of her
repose, so that it surpassed the earlier (temple which was)
before it, I (re)built, and from its foundation to its roof I
completed it; and I set up my memorial steles.
195. Let (some) future prince, when that temple shall
become old and fall into decay, restore it and make it shine
forth. Let him anoint my steles with oil, offer sacrifices, and
return (them) to their place. (Then) Dinitu ( i.e ., Ishtar-
dinitu) will hear his prayers. Whoever destroys my inscrip-
tion and my name, may Dinitu, my lady, shatter his weapon,
and give him into the hand of his enemies.
196. 3. Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, king of As-
syria, son of Shalmaneser, king of Assyria.
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66 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
When the temple of Dlnitu, my lady, which Hu-shuma, a
king, who went before me, had built, (when) that temple
fell into decay and became old, I cleared away its ruins, I
penetrated to its foundation. From its foundation to its top I
rebuilt it. My memorial stele I set up. Let (some) future
prince restore its ruins, let him return my inscribed name to
its place. (Then) Assur will hear his prayers.
VI. RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE OF
ISHTAR ANUNAITU
197. An inscription commemorating this event was engraved upon
tablets of gold and silver. The text is published in KAH, II, No. 50.
Tukulti-Urta, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of
Shalmaneser, priest of Assur, (grand) son of Adad-nirari,
priest of Assur.
198. When the temple of Anunaitu, my lady, which the
kings who went before me had built aforetime, (when) that
temple fell into decay, and became old, Shalmaneser, my
father, priest of Assur, cleared away its ruins, penetrated to
its foundation, laid (anew) its foundation walls. He rebuilt
that temple. 72 lipku he raised it on high. Then (I) Tukulti-
Urta, prefect of Enlil (Bel), priest of Assur, added 20 tipku
to these. Beams and door-leaves I set up. I (re)built the
temple. I completed it. A shrine I prepared. I caused Anu-
naitu, the lady, to dwell in her shrine in joy and gladness. And
I set up my memorial steles.
199. Let (some) future prince restore its ruins, let him
return my inscribed name to its place. (Then) Anunaitu will
hear his prayers.
VH. DEDICATORY INSCRIPTIONS
200. 1. On a limestone block; the text is published in KAH, II,
No. 54.
To Assur, the great lord, .father of the gods, his lord,
Tukulti-Urta, prefect of Enlil (Bel), priest of Assur, son of
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TUKULTI-URTA I 67
Shalmaneser, priest of Assur, (grand)son of Adad-nir&ri,
priest of Assur.
The peace of Assur, lord of Mount Abeh, his mountain
which he loves, and wherein he has fcommanded 1 (me) to
build a lofty abode: — his sure favor I ask.
201 . 2. On an altar dedicated to Nusku; the text is published in
KAH, n, No. 55.
Altar of Nusku, exalted messenger of Ekur, bearer of the
scepter of the temples, who stands before Assur and Enlil
(B61), who daily speaks the prayer of Tukulti-Urta, his be-
loved king, before Assur and Enlil (Bel) and the fate (destiny)
of all things in the midst of Ekur
VIIL BOWL INSCRIPTIONS FROM NINEVEH
202. That Tukulti-Urta, like his father, restored the temples at
Nineveh we know from fragmentary bowl inscriptions, coming from
Kuyunjik, published in the Appendix of King’s Records of the Reign of
Tukulti-Ninib I, Nos. 6 and 8.
The first, following an Introduction for the most part a duplicate of
that of the text translated in § 180, ran:
its I tore down, its sanctuary I I completed,
and my stele I set up.
( Blessings and curses.)
203. The second mentions “Pushshe and the 43 kings of the Nairl-
lands.” From the fact that a brick inscription in the British Museum
(No. 99,438) shows that Tukulti-Urta restored the temple of Ishtar at
Nineveh, King believes that we may assume that these fragmentary
bowl inscriptions may be part of texts commemorating this work.
204. The British Museum also possesses “part of a lapis-lazuli
mace-head with an inscription mentioning Tukulti-Enurta, king of
Assyria” (No. 91,432). The brick inscription, mentioned above reads:
Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, son of Shalmaneser,
king of the universe, builder of the temple of Ishtar of
Nineveh.
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68 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
IX. INSCRIPTION ON A STONE FROM THE
COURT OF ASSUR’S TEMPLE
205. The poorly preserved text of this inscription is published
in KAH, I, No. 19.
.... Assur, [his 1 lord, father of the gods
Tukulti-Urta prefect of En-
lil (BN), priest of Assur son of Shalmaneser,
prefect of Enlil (Bel), r (priest of Assur] . . [(grand)son of]
Adad-nirari, prefect of Enlil (BN), priest of Assur
god f Assur] .... to lands lands on the shore of
the hipper 1 sea in the heat of battle ....
.... I entered. All of ... . the lands of the Nairi and the
lands on the shore of the upper sea
my hand conquered their kings I brought
under my sway, at my feet and f I imposed]
taskwork
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CHAPTER VI
THE SUCCESSORS OF TUKULTI-URTA I
i. assur-nAdin-apli
206. The Babylonian Chronicle gives the name of the patricide
son of Tukulti-Urta as Assur-nlsir-pal (cf. § 141), but from a kings’
list (Vol. II, § 1188) as well as a brick inscription, we infer that this
was a scribal error for Assur-nadin-apli. The text of the brick inscrip-
tion is found in KAH, II, No, 62.
Palace of Assur-nadin-apli, king of the universe, son of
Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe. (Brick from) the treas-
ure-house of the l king(?) 1 .
II. ASSUR-RfiSH-ISHI
207. For close to a century after the assassination of Tukulti-
Urta we find Assyria almost totally eclipsed by the rising power of
Babylonia. No inscriptions from the reigns of Assur-nirari, Nabfl-d&n
Enlil-kudurri-usur, Urta-apil-Ekur I, Assur-dan I, Urta-tukulti-
Assur, and Mutakkil-Nusku have come down to us. Only with the ac-
cession of Assur-resh-ishi, father of Tiglath-pileser I, do we begin to
detect signs of an Assyrian revival.
208. From a number of fragments of inscribed clay bowls, pre-
served in the British Museum, it has been possible to reconstruct
three building inscriptions of Assur-resh-ishi. The texts were pub-
lished in IIIR, Plate 3, Nos. 6-8, and again by King in AKA, pp. 17 f.
209. 1. Assur-resh-ishi, viceroy of Enlil (Bel), priest of
Assur, whose destiny Anu, Enlil (Bel) and Ea, the great gods,
determined in the womb of (his) mother, because they had
chosen {lit., desired) him, and whose rule they proclaimed
for the guidance of Assyria; whose the gods of
heaven and earth love, and whose priesthood they have
blessed; the exalted prince, who abundantly provides offer-
ings for the great gods; the wise, the exalted, the hero of {or,
6g
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70 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
who) of Imina, the mighty in battle, who spares
not the enemies of Assur; the great, the mighty (one), who
consumes the insubmissive, who strikes the wicked with the
thunderbolt who destroys the widespreading hosts
of the Ahlami, who shatters their forces; who, in the name of
Urta, the valiant one among the gods, .... north and south
who has brought in submission at his feet the
LulumS, all of the Kutl and their entire mountain region;
who wields {lit., holds) a scepter of the lands; avenger
of Assyria; son of Mutakkil-Nusku, priest of Assur, (grand)-
son of Assur-dan, priest of Assur.
210. When the bit-namiru, which had built and
which in the reign of Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, had fallen
to ruins, into the square {or, boulevard), the king,
who lived before me, restored its ruins, of my
father entered their namiru. And when they (again) fell into
decay I tore them away(?), from the walls to the “beams of
the house” (roof), — 15 tipku, I tipku, I increased to
the former (dimensions?) and with piers { iaeri ) of
stone I surrounded them.
2i 1. In future, for all time, when that bit-namiru shall
fall into ruins, let (some) future prince restore its ruins, the
piers my stele and inscribed name let him return
to its place. (Then) Ishtar, the great lady, will hear his
prayers. Whoever shall destroy my stele, may she overthrow
his kingdom and his dynasty, may she command that he live
not a single day (longer).
212. 2. Assur-resh-ishi, viceroy of Enlil (Bel), priest of
Assur, whose rule Anu, Enlil (Bel) and Ea, the great gods,
proclaimed for the guidance of Assyria, and whose priest-
hood they have blessed; the mighty king, king of the uni-
verse, king of Assyria, son of Mutakkil-Nusku, priest of
Assur, (grand)son of Assur-dan, priest of Assur.
213. When the namiru of the great gate of the Lion’s
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THE SUCCESSORS OF TUKULTI-URTA I 71
Head, the lofty court of the temple [in]
the street, in the reign of Assur-d&n, builder
214. 3. Assur-resh-ishi, viceroy of Enlil (Bel), priest of
Assur, whose rule Anu, Enlil (Bel) and Ea, the great gods,
proclaimed for the guidance of Assyria, whose priesthood
they have blessed; the mighty king, king of the universe,
king of Assyria, son of Mutakkil-Nusku, priest of Assur,
(grand) son of Assur-dan, priest of Assur.
When of the bit-shahuri, of the temple of ... .
. . . . which who lived before me had built, in
the street, in the reign of Assur-dan I completely
(re)built (and) the piers (iaere) [thereof]
21s. When those shall grow old and fall into de-
cay, may (some) future prince [restore their ruins] may he
write my name alongside of his name, in that place [may he
set it]. May the gods prosper him (lit., cause him to walk
well). Whoever shall destroy my inscription in wrath
[may they look upon him; with an evil curse] may they curse
him; his name and his seed [may they destroy] from the land.
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CHAPTER VII
TIGLATH-PILESER I
216. The record of the military, hunting, and building activities
of the first five years of the reign of Tiglath-pileser I ( ca . 1100 B.c.)
was inscribed upon four clay prisms which were deposited at the corners
of the temple of Anu and Adad at Assur (Kalat-Sherkat). The frag-
ments of these prisms found their way to the British Museum, and the
text of the inscription became famous in the history of Assyriology
through its selection, by a committee appointed by the Royal Asiatic
Society, for translation by representative scholars to test the results of
the early decipherers of the cuneiform (1857). The text was published
in IR, 9 S. and again by King in AKA, pp. 27 ff. 1
I. PRISM INSCRIPTION (HISTORY OF FIRST
FIVE YEARS OF REIGN)
Invocation of the gods {Col. I, ll. 1-27)
217. Beginning:* Assur, the great lord, ruler of all of the
gods, bestower of scepter and crown, who established sover-
eignty; Enlil, the lord, the king of all the Anunnaki, the father
of the gods, the Lord of lands; Sin, the wise, the lord of the
lunar disk, exalted in splendor; Shamash, the judge of heaven
and earth, who spies out the evil designs of the enemy, who
exposes the wicked; Adad, the mighty, who overwhelms the
regions of the foe, — lands and houses; Urta, the hero, who
destroys the wicked and the enemy, who causes (man) to
attain to all that the heart (desires) ; Ishtar, first among the
gods, the lady of confusion, who makes battles terrible: — ye
great gods, ye rulers of heaven and earth, whose onward rush
is battle and destruction, who have enlarged the kingdom of
1 Cf. KAH, II, No. 160, where variant readings of this text, from fragments
found by the German excavators, are given.
3 Introduction or Preface.
73
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 73
Tiglath-pileser, the beloved prince, the desire of your hearts,
the exalted shepherd, whom in your faithful hearts ye have
chosen, and whom ye have crowned with a lofty diadem, and
did solemnly appoint to be king over the land of Enlil; to
him have ye granted majesty, glory, and power, and ye have
decreed that his rule should be mighty, and that his priestly
seed should have a place in Eharsagkurkurra forever.
Titles and achievements of the king (Col. I, ll. 28-61 )
218. Tiglath-pileser, the mighty king, king of the uni-
verse, who is without a rival, king of the four quarters (of
the world), king of all princes, lord of lords, shepherd(?),
king of kings, the exalted priest, on whom a shining scepter
was bestowed through the command of Shamash, by which
he has come to rule the nations, the subjects of Enlil, all of
them; the rightful ruler (true shepherd), who (v., whose name)
has been proclaimed over (all) princes; the exalted leader(?),
whom Assur has caused to brandish his weapons, and in
order that he should be the shepherd of the four quarters (of
the world) has proclaimed his name forever; the conqueror
of remote territories on the (his) frontiers, north and south;
the fiery tempest, whose splendor overwhelms the quarters
(of the world); the glowing flame which, like the rush of a
storm, overpowers the enemy's land; who through the com-
mand of Enlil has no rival, and has overthrown the enemies of
Assur.
219. Assur and the great gods, who have made my king-
dom great, and who have bestowed might and power as a
(lit., my) gift, commanded that I should extend the boundary
of their land, and they intrusted to my hand their mighty
weapons, the storm of battle. Lands, mountains, cities, and
princes, the enemies of Assur, I have brought under my sway,
and have subdued their territories. With sixty kings ly 1
1 Perhaps, “to (their) discomfiture.”
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74 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
I fought, and established (my) victorious might over them.
I was without an equal in battle, or a rival in the fight. Unto
Assyria I added land, unto her peoples, peoples. I enlarged
the frontier of my land, and all of their lands I brought under
my sway.
Year of accession
220. Campaigns against the Mushki (the Meshech of Gen. 10:2)
and the land of Kutmuhi (Commagene). Assyria was feeling the im-
pact of the “Northerners,” Indo-Europeans, who were turned back
from Egypt by Ramses III, but who, with the Aramean tribes pushing
from the opposite direction, had shattered the Hittite empire (Col. I,
1 . 62— Col. II, 1 . 84).
221. In the beginning of my reign, twenty thousand men
of the land of Mushki {lit., Mushkians) and their five kings,
who for fifty years had held the lands of Alzi and Purukuzzi,
which (in former times) had paid tribute and tax unto Assur,
my lord, and no king had vanquished them in battle, — in
their own strength they trusted and came down and seized
the land of Kutmuhi. With the help of Assur, my lord, I
gathered my chariots and my troops. I looked not behind me.
Mount Kashiari, a difficult region, I traversed. With their
twenty thousand warriors and their five kings I fought in
the land of Kutmuhi and I defeated them. The corpses of
their warriors I hurled down in the destructive battle like
the Storm- (god). Their blood I caused to flow in the valleys
and on the high places of the mountains. I cut off their
heads and outside their cities, like heaps of grain, I piled
them up. Their spoil, their goods, and their possessions, in
countless number, I brought out. I carried off six thousand
(men), the remainder of their troops, who had fled from be-
fore my weapons and had embraced my feet, and I counted
them as inhabitants of my land.
222. At that time also I marched against the land of
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 75
Kutmuhi, which was disloyal, and which had withheld tribute
and tax from Assur my lord. I conquered the land of Kut-
muhi in its length and breadth. Their booty, their goods, and
their possessions I brought out. I burned their cities with
fire, {Col. II) I devastated, I destroyed (them). The rest of
the people of the land of Kutmuhi, who had fled from before
my weapons, crossed over to the city of Shereshe, which is on
the further bank of the Tigris, and they made that city their
stronghold. I took my chariots and my warriors and over
the steep mountain and through their wearisome paths I
hewed a way with pickaxes of bronze, and I made passable
a road for the passage of my chariot and my troops. I crossed
the Tigris and conquered the city of Shereshe, their strong-
hold. I scattered their warriors in the midst of the hills like
, and made their blood to flow in the Tigris and on the
high places of the mountains. At that time also I beat down
the forces of the Kurte like a gust of wind(?), who had come,
together with the troops of the land of Kutmuhi, to rescue
and to help the land of Kutmuhi. The corpses of their war-
riors I piled up in heaps on the peaks of the mountain, and
the river Name carried down the dead bodies of their fighting
men into the Tigris. Kili-Teshub, the son of Kali-Teshub,
whom men also called Irrupi, their king, my hand captured in
the midst of the battle. His wives, his sons, the offspring of
his loins, his household, one hundred and eighty vessels of
bronze, five bowls of copper, together with their gods, gold
and silver, the choicest of their possessions, I carried away.
Their spoil and their possessions I brought out, and I burned
that city and its palace with fire, I devastated, I destroyed
(it).
223. (The people) of Urratinash, a stronghold of theirs
which lies on Mount Panari, — terror and fear of the splendor
of Assur, my lord, overwhelmed them, and, to save their
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76 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
lives, they carried off their gods, and fled like birds to the
tops of the lofty mountains. I took my chariots and my
troops and I crossed the Tigris. Shadi-Teshub, the son of
Hattu-shar(P), the king of Urratinash, embraced my feet
before I drew near (to him) in his own land. His sons, the
offspring of his loins, and his household, I took as hostages.
Sixty vessels of bronze, bowls of copper, great caldrons of
copper, together with one hundred and twenty slaves and
herds and flocks, he brought as tribute and toll; I received
them from him; I pardoned him, and spared his life. The
heavy yoke of my rule I laid upon him for future days. I
conquered the broad land of Kutmuhi in its entirety and
brought it in subjection to my feet. At that time I offered
unto Assur, my lord, one caldron of copper and one bowl of
copper from the spoil and tribute of the land of Kutmuhi;
sixty vessels of bronze, together with their gods, I dedicated
unto Adad who loves me.
224. In the fury of my terrible weapons, which Assur,
my lord, has endowed with power and might, with thirty of
my chariots which advance by the side of my veterans, I
took my valiant warriors, who wage relentless war to the
finish, and marched against the land of Mildish, (with its)
haughty and insubmissive (people). I traversed mighty
mountains, — a difficult terrain, in my chariot(s) where (the
road) was good, and on foot where it was bad. In Mount
Aruma, a difficult region, where my chariots could not pass,
I left the chariots and took my place at the head of my
warriors. I was bold as a lion(?), and advanced triumphantly
over the summits of the steep mountains. I overwhelmed the
land of Mildish (so that it was) like a heap of ruins after a
flood. I beat down their warriors in the midst of battle, like
a gust of wind(?). Their spoil, their property, and their
goods, I carried off; all their cities I burned with fire; host-
ages (I took), tribute and tax I laid upon them.
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 77
Paean of praise {Col. II, ll. 85-88)
225. Tiglath-pileser, the valiant hero, who opens up
mountain trails, who subdues the insubmissive, who over-
throws all that are proud.
Year 1. Against Shubartu, with a second attack upon Kutmuhi
{Col. II, l. 89— Col. Ill, l. 31)
226. I subdued the land of the Shubari, with its haughty
and insubmissive (people) and upon the land of Alzi, and the
land of Purukuzzi, which had withheld their tribute and tax,
I laid the heavy yoke of my sovereignty, (and I ordered) that
they should bring tribute and tax, year by year, to my city
Assur, into my presence. Through my own valor, and be-
cause Assur, the lord, had put into my hand a mighty weapon
which subdues the insubmissive, and commanded me to ex-
tend the frontiers of his land: four thousand (men of) Kaski
and of Urumi, soldiers of the land of Hatti, who were in
revolt and {Col. Ill) had seized the cities of the land of
Shubarti, by their own strength,— -cities which were subject
to Assur, my lord, — they heard of my coming against the land
of Shubarti, the brilliance of my valor overwhelmed them,
they were afraid to fight (so) they embraced my feet, —
(these four thousand men), together with their property, and
one hundred and twenty chariots and their yoked teams, I
seized, and I counted them as inhabitants of my land.
227. In the fury of my valor I marched against the land of
Kutmuhi a second time. All their cities I conquered; their
spoil, their goods, and their possessions I carried off; I burned
their cities with fire, I destroyed, I devastated (them). The
rest of their troops who took fright at my terrible weapons
and were afraid of the mighty onslaught of my battle, sought
the strong heights of the mountains, a difficult region, in
order to save their lives. To the heights of the lofty hills and
to the tops of the steep mountains, which it seemed impos-
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78 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
sible for a man to tread, I went up after them. War with
skirmishes and pitched battles, they waged against me. I
defeated them. The dead bodies of their warriors I cast down
on the tops of the mountains like the Storm- (god), and I
caused their blood to flow in the valleys and on the high
places of the mountains. Their spoil, their goods, and their
possessions I brought down from the strong heights of the
mountain. The land of Kutmuhi in its entirety I brought
under my sway, and I added it to the borders of my land.
Paean of praise {Col. Ill, ll. 32-34)
228. Tiglath-pileser, the mighty king, the snare of the
disobedient, who overwhelms the resistance of the wicked.
Year 2. Against the land of Haria and the hosts of the Kurle,
against the district beyond the Lower Zab and the land of
Sugi {Col. Ill, l. 33 — Col. IV, l. 39)
229. That I should march, in the exalted might of Assur,
my lord, against the land of Haria and the widespreading
troops of the Kurt6, (over) lofty hills which no king had
ever entered, Assur, the lord, commanded. I gathered to-
gether my chariots and my host, between the mountains of
Idni and Aia, a difficult region, I took the way. Among the
high mountains, (the tops of) which were sharp as the point
of a dagger, and which were impassable for my chariots, I left
the chariots idle, and traversed the steep mountains (on foot).
All of the Kurte had banded together their widespreading
troops, and had bravely taken their stand in the mountain of
Azu to wage war, to fight, and to give battle. I fought with
them in the mountain, a difficult region, and I defeated them.
I piled up the dead bodies of their warriors in heaps on the
high places of the mountain and caused the blood of their
warriors to flow in the valleys and on the heights of the moun-
tains. Against the cities which were located on the tops of
the mountains I fiercely pressed on. Twenty-five cities of the
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 79
land of Haria, which lay at the foot of the mountains of Aia,
Shuira, Idni, Shezu, Shelgu, Arzanibiu, Urusu, and Anitku,
I captured. Th6ir booty, their goods, and their possessions I
carried off; their cities I burned with fire, I laid waste, I de-
stroyed (them).
230. The people of the land of Adaush feared the mighty
advance of my battle array, they left their land (lit., place)
and fled like birds to the tops of the lofty mountains. The
splendor of Assur, my lord, overwhelmed them, and they
came down and embraced my feet. I laid upon them tribute
and tax.
231. The lands of Saraush and Ammaush, which had
never before known defeat, I overwhelmed, (so that they
were) like a heap of ruins left by a flood. I fought with then-
troops in Mount Aruma and I defeated them. The dead
bodies of their fighting men I scattered like ; their
cities I captured; their gods I carried away; their spoil, their
goods, and their possessions I brought out; I burned their
cities with fire, I laid waste, I destroyed, and I turned (them)
into heaps and ruins. The heavy yoke of my rule I laid upon
them, and I made them subject unto Assur, my lord.
232. The lands of Isua and Daria, (with their) haughty
and insubmissive (people), I conquered, and laid tribute and
tax upon them, I made them subject unto Assur, my lord.
In my lordly power, wherewith I had conquered my foes, I
led forth my chariots and troops, I crossed the Lower Zab,
and conquered the lands of Murattash and Saradaush, which
are in the midst of the mountains of Asaniu and Atuma, a
difficult region. Their troops I cut down like lambs. The
city of Murattash, their stronghold, I captured in the third
part of a day, after sunrise. Their gods, their possessions, and
their goods, sixty (»., 120) vessels of bronze, (Col. IV) thirty
talents of bronze, the furniture, the goods, the wealth of their
palace I brought out as spoil. That city I burned with fire,
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8o ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
I devastated, I destroyed (it). At that time I presented the
bronze unto Adad, the great lord who loves me.
233. In the greatness of the might of Assur, my lord, I
marched against the land of Sugi, which is in the land of
Kirhi, and which had not submitted unto Assur, my lord.
Against six thousand of their host, (men from) the lands of
Hime, Luhi, Arirgi, Alamun, and Nimni, the whole of the
widespreading Kurti, in the mountain of Hirihi, a difficult
region, (the top of) which is sharp like the point of a dagger,
I fought on foot against all of their lands, and I defeated
them. Their fighting men I piled up in heaps on the peaks of
the mountain, with the blood of their warriors I dyed the
mountain of Hirihi (red) like scarlet wool. I conquered the
land of Sugi in its length and breadth and brought out
twenty-five of their gods, their spoil, their goods, and their
possessions. I burned all their cities with fire, I devastated,
I destroyed (them). The rest of their host embraced my feet,
and I had mercy upon them. Tribute and tax I laid upon
them, and counted them among the subjects of Assur, my lord.
234. At that time I presented the twenty-five gods of
those lands, which I had captured with my hand and had
taken away, as gifts to the temple of Befit (Ninlil), the
mighty consort, the beloved of Assur, my lord, and (to the
temples) of Anu and Adad, and the Assyrian Ishtar, — the
sanctuaries of my city Assur and of the goddesses of my land.
Paean of praise {Col. IV, ll. 40-42 )
235. Tiglath-pileser, the mighty king, the conqueror of
the enemies’ territory, the rival of all kings.
Year 3. Against the lands of Nairi {Col. IV, l. 43 — Col. V,
l. 41)
236. At that time, in the exalted might of Assur, my lord,
through the sure mercy of Shamash the hero and with the
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 81-
help of the great gods, I, who have ruled with righteousness
in the four quarters (of the world) and who have not had a
conqueror in battle, nor a rival in the fight, marched over
difficult roads and through steep passes whose interior (heart)
no king of former days had ever known, unto the lands of
distant kings which are on the shore of the Upper Sea, and
which had never known subjection, — Assur, the lord, having
sent me. By roads that were blocked, by paths that were un-
opened, I traversed the mountains of Elama, Amadana, El-
hish, Sherabeli, Tarhuna, Tirkahuli, Kisra, Tarhanabe, Elula,
Hashtarae, Shahishara, Ubera, Miliadruni, Shulianzi, Nu-
banashe, Sheshe, — sixteen mighty mountains, in my chariot
where the country was good, and where it was difficult I
hewed my way with pickaxes of bronze. Urumi- trees, trees
of the mountain, I cut down, made strong the bridges for the
advance of my troops, and crossed the Euphrates. The king
of Tumme, the king of Tunube, the king of Tuali, the king
of Kindari, the king of Uzula, the king of Unzamuni, the king
of Andiabe, the king of Pilakinni, the king of Aturgini, the
king of Kulibarzini, the king of Shinibirni, the king of Himua,
the king of Paiteri, the king of Uiram, the king of Shururia,
the king of Abaeni, the king of Adaeni, the king of Kirini,
the king of Albaia, the king of Ugina, the king of Nazabia,
the king of Abarsiuni, and the king of Daiaeni, — in all
twenty-three kings of the land of Nairi, gathered their
chariots and their hosts from out of their lands and advanced
to wage war and combat. With the fury of my terrible weap-
ons I attacked them, and brought about the destruction of
their widespreading forces, like a flood of Adad. The dead
bodies of their warriors I scattered upon the high places of
the mountains and alongside their cities like . One
hundred and twenty of their armored chariots I captured in
the midst of the battle. Sixty kings of the countries of Nairi,
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82 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
together with those who had come to their help, I pursued
with the point of my spear even to the Upper Sea. I captured
their great cities, {Col. V) their booty, their goods and their
possessions I brought out; I burnt their cities with fire, I
devastated, I destroyed and into heaps and ruins I turned
(them). I led away great herds of horses, mules, grazing
cattle(?), and the flocks of their pastures, in countless num-
bers. My hands captured all the kings of the countries of the
Nairl. I had mercy on those kings and I spared their lives.
(When they were brought) captive and bound into the pres-
ence of Shamash, my lord, I set them free, and I caused them
to swear an oath of submission (servitude) to my great gods
for future days, and forevermore. Their sons, their royal
offspring, I took as hostages; twelve hundred horses, and two
thousand (head of) cattle I laid as tribute upon them, and I
sent them unto their own lands.
237. Sieni, the king of the land of Daiaeni, who had not
submitted to Assur, my lord, I brought captive and bound to
my city Assur. I had mercy upon him, and sent him away
from my city Assur, as a worshiper of the great gods, that he
might live and pay reverence (unto them). The broad lands
of Nairi in their length and breadth I brought under my
sway, and all their kings I brought into subjection at my
feet. In the course of this campaign I marched against the
city of Milidia, which is in the land of Hanigalbat, (with its)
haughty and rebellious (people). They took fright at the ap-
proach of my mighty battle array, and embraced my feet. I
had mercy upon them and did not capture that city. I took
their hostages and one homer of magnesium ore for offerings,
as a yearly tribute which should never cease, I laid on them.
Paean of praise (Col. V, ll. 42-43 )
238. Tiglath-pileser, the burning flame, the terrible one,
the storm of battle.
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 83
Year 4. Against the Aramean tribes about Carchemish (Col. V,
ll. 44-63 )
239. With the help of Assur, my lord, I led forth my
chariots and warriors and went into the desert. Into the
midst of the Ahlami, Arameans, enemies of Assur, my lord,
I marched. The country from Suhi to the city of Carche-
mish, in the land of Hatti, I raided in one day. I slew
their troops; their spoil, their goods and their possessions
in countless numbers, I carried away. The rest of their
forces, which had fled from before the terrible weapons of
Assur, my lord, and had crossed over the Euphrates, — in
pursuit of them I crossed the Euphrates in vessels made of
skins. Six of their cities, which lay at the foot of the mountain
of Beshri, I captured, I burned with fire, I laid (them) waste,
I destroyed (them). Their spoil, their goods and their pos-
sessions I carried away to my city Assur.
Paean of praise (Col. V, ll. 64-66 )
240. Tiglath-pileser, who tramples down the proud, who
subdues the disobedient, who humbles all the mighty.
Year 5. Against the lands of Musri and the Kumani (Col. V,
l. 67 — Col. VI, l. 38 )
241. To conquer the land of Musri, Assur the lord sent
me, and between the mountains of Elamuni, Tala, and Harusa
I marched. I conquered the land of Musri in its length and
breadth, their warriors I overthrew, (their) 1 cities I burned
with fire, I laid (them) waste, I destroyed (them). The hosts
of the land of Kumani came to the aid of the land of Musri;
in the mountains I fought against them and I defeated them.
I shut them up in one city, the city of Arini, which is at the
foot of the mountain Aisa, and they embraced my feet. That
city I spared, hostages (I took), tribute and tax I laid upon
them.
1 So variant
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84 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
342. At that time, all the Rumanians who had rallied to
the help of the land of Musri pressed all of their lands into
service and to wage war and combat they took their stand.
In the fury of my terrible weapons I fought against twenty
thousand of their widespreading troops in the mountain of
Tala, and I defeated them. I broke their mighty confederacy,
and pursued them as far as the mountain of Harusa, which is
over against the land of Musri, after their defeat. The dead
bodies of their warriors I scattered, like a gust of wind(?),
on the heights of the mountain; their blood I caused to flow
in the valleys and on the high places of the mountain; their
great cities I captured, I burned (them) with fire, I laid
(them) waste, I destroyed (them) (and turned them) into
heaps and ruins.
243. Hunusa, their stronghold, I overthrew, (so that it
became) like unto a heap of ruins (after) a flood. {Col. VI)
I fought fiercely against their dense array, in the city and on
the mountains, and I defeated them. Their fighting men I
cast down in the midst of the hills, like a gust of wind(?) ;
I cut off their heads like lambs; their blood I caused to flow in
the valleys and on the high places of the mountains. That
city I captured; their gods I carried away; I brought out
their goods and their possessions, and I burned the city with
fire. The three great walls of their city, which were strongly
built of burnt brick, and the whole of the city I laid waste,
I destroyed, I turned into heaps and ruins and I sowed sipa
thereon. I fashioned a bronze lightning-bolt, and (the tale
of) the spoliation of the lands which I had conquered through
(the aid of) my god, my lord, and (a decree) that that city
should not again be inhabited, and that its wall should not
again be built, I inscribed thereon. I built a temple of burnt
brick in that place and set up therein the bronze lightning-
bolt.
244. (Trusting in) the support of Assur, my lord, I led
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 85
out my chariots and my warriors and besieged the city of
Kibshuna, their royal city. The king of the Kumani became
frightened at the advance of my mighty battle array, and
embraced my feet. I spared his life. I ordered him to destroy
the great wall of the city with its piers of burnt brick, and
from the foundation unto the coping thereof he destroyed it
and turned it into ruins. Furthermore, three hundred families
of rebels who (had dwelt) therein, and who had not submitted
unto Assur, my lord, he drove forth, and I received them
from him; I took his hostages, and laid upon him tribute and
tax, greater than (that which had been laid upon him)
formerly; and the broad land of the Kumani, in its length
and breadth, I brought into subjection at my feet.
Summary of campaigns (Col. VI, ll. 39-54 )
245. In all, forty-two lands and their princes from beyond
the Lower Zab, 1 a region of distant hills, unto the further side
of the Euphrates, and the land of Hatti and the Upper Sea
of the West, from the beginning of my rule up to the fifth
year of my reign, my hand has conquered. I have made them
to be under one rule; I have taken hostages from them, and
have laid tribute and tax upon them. — This does not in-
clude many other wars against enemies who could not op-
pose my might. — I have pursued them in my chariots where
the country was good, and on foot where it was difficult. I
have kept back the foot of the enemy from my land.
Paean of praise (Col. VI, ll. 55~57)
246. Tiglath-pileser, the valiant hero, who grasps a bow
without equal, who exercises lordship over the field.
The king's hunting expeditions (Col. VI, ll. 58-84)
247. The gods Urta and Nergal have given their terrible
weapons and their majestic bow into my lordly grasp.
1 V., Zaban.
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86 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
At the bidding of Urta, who loves me, four wild bulls
(aurochs), which were mighty and of monstrous size, in the
desert, in the country of Mitani, and near to the city of
Araziki, which is over against the land of Hatti, with my
mighty bow, with my iron spear, and with my sharp darts, I
killed. Their hides and their horns I brought unto my city
Assur. Ten mighty bull-elephants I slew in the country of
Harran, and in the district of the river Habur. Four elephants
I caught alive. Their hides and their tusks, together with the
live elephants, I brought unto my city Assur.
248. At the bidding of Urta, who loves me, I have slain
one hundred and twenty lions by my bold coinage and by my
strong attack, on foot; and eight hundred lions I have laid
low from my chariot with javelins(P). I have brought down
all (kinds of) beasts of the field, and birds of the heavens that
fly, among my hunting spoils.
• • f* ■ V. V’
The king’s peaceful activities
249. Rebuilding of the temples and palaces of Assyria; agricul-
tural improvements; stocking of the land with horses, asses, etc.;
planting of parks and gardens; chariot building (Col. VI, 1 . 85 — Col.
VII, 1.3s):
After I had brought all the enemies of Assur under my
rule, I completely rebuilt the temple of the Assyrian Ishtar,
my lady, the temple of Amurru, the temple of Bel-labiru (the
elder Bel), the divine temples, the temples of the gods of my
city Assur, which had fallen int® ruins. The portals of their
temples I set up, and caused the great gods, my lords, to
dwell therein. I delighted the hearts of the great gods.
250. The palaces, the royal dwellings, in the great cities
of the provinces of my land, which had been deserted from
the time of my fathers down through the course of many
years, and had decayed and had fallen into mins , I rebuilt
completely.
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 87
251. I strengthened the walls of the cities of nay land
which were in ruins.
252. I put the plows to work throughout the whole of
Assyria and heaped up grain in greater quantities than my
fathers.
253. Herds of horses, cattle, and asses, (Col. VII) which
I seized with the help of Assur, my lord, in the lands which I
brought under my sway, I have gathered together as the
spoil of my hand; and herds of deer, stags, ibex, and wild
goats, which Assur and Urta, the gods who love me, have
given me for the chase, I have taken in the midst of the lofty
hills. Herds of them I gathered and found (lit., counted) their
number like unto that of a flock of sheep. Yearly I offered
unto Assur, my lord, such of the young wild creatures which
were bom from them as my heart prompted me (to choose),
together with my pure lambs, for sacrifice.
254. I brought cedars, boxwood, and allakanish - trees
from the countries which I have subdued, trees the like of
which none of the kings, my ancient fathers, had ever
planted, and I planted them in the gardens of my land. I
took rare garden plants, which were not found in my own
land, and caused them to flourish in the gardens of Assyria.
I increased the output of chariots, (with their) teams over
that of former days, for the strengthening of my land. Unto
the land of Assyria I added land, unto her peoples, peoples.
I have kept good the condition of my people, and in peaceful
habitations I have caused them to dwell.
The king’s titles and genealogy (Col. VII, 11 . 36-59)
255. Tiglath-pileser, the exalted prince, whom Assur and
Urta have brought unto the desire of his heart, who has pur-
sued the enemies of Assur to their farthest border and has
overthrown all the mighty; the son of Assur-resh-ishi, the
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88 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
mighty king, who conquered hostile lands and subdued all
the proud.
256. The grandson of Mutakkil-Nusku, whom Assur, the
great lord, eagerly chose, following the prompting of his good
heart, and duly called him to be the shepherd of Assyria.
257. The lawful descendant of Assur-dan, who swayed
a shining scepter and ruled the men of Enlil (Bel), the deeds
of whose hands, and the offering of whose gifts, were well
pleasing unto the great gods, and who attained to gray hairs
and a ripe old age.
258. The descendant of Urta-apil-Ekur, the powerful
king, the beloved of Assur, whose net was spread like a snare
over his land, and who firmly shepherded the hosts of Assyria.
Rebuilding of the temple of Anu and Adad {Col. VII, l. 60 —
Col. VIII, l. 49)
259. At that time the temple of Anu and Adad, the great
gods, my lords, which in former days Shamshi-Adad, viceroy
of Assur, the son of Ishme-Dagan, viceroy of Assur, had built,
and, during the course of six hundred and forty-one years had
fallen into decay, and Assur-dan, king of Assyria, the son
of Urta-apil-Ekur, king of Assyria, had pulled down that
temple and had not rebuilt it: — for sixty years the founda-
tion thereof had not been laid.
260. At the beginning of my reign, Anu and Adad, the
great gods, my lords, who love my priesthood, commanded
that I should rebuild their dwelling. I made bricks; I cleared
the ground (on which it had stood) ; I dug down to its founda-
tion and laid its foundation walls upon the firm bed of the
mighty mountain. The whole of that place I filled up with
brickwork like unto an oven. To a depth of fifty tipki (layers
of brick) I dug down, and there I laid the limestone founda-
tion of the temple of Anu and Adad. From its foundation
unto its top I rebuilt it, and I made it larger than it was be-
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 89
fore. I built two mighty temple towers, which were worthy
of their great divinities. The holy temple, the lordly struc-
ture, their joyful habitation, the dwelling of their delight,
which shone as a star in the heavens, being richly adorned by
the skill of my craftsmen, I planned with care, I built and
completed. The interior thereof I made to shine like the heart
of heaven, I made beautiful its walls like the brightness of
the rising stars. I made great its piers ( namire ) and the
towers thereof I raised unto heaven. Its upper walls I con-
structed of burnt brick. The shrine(?) of their divine com-
mand I laid down therein. Anu and Adad, the great gods, I
led into (its) midst, I caused them to dwell in their lofty
habitation, and made glad the hearts of their great divini-
ties.
261. (Col. VIII ) The treasure(?)-house of Adad, which
Shamshi-Adad, viceroy of Assur, the son of Ishme-Dagan,
viceroy of Assur, had built, had fallen into decay and was in
ruins. I cleared the site thereof, and, from its foundation
unto its top I constructed it of burnt brick, and I made it
more beautiful and stronger than (it was) before. Therein I
offered pure sacrifices unto Adad, my lord.
262. At that time I brought &a-stone, halta- stone, and
shadanu - stone from the mountains of the lands of Nairl,
which I had conquered with the aid of Assur, my lord, and I
placed them forever in the treasure-house of Adad, my lord.
263. Inasmuch as I planned the holy temple, the lofty
dwelling, for the habitation of Anu and Adad, the great gods,
my lords, and neither tarried nor delayed in the building
thereof, but speedily brought it to completion, and (so) made
glad the hearts of their great divinities, may Anu and Adad
graciously turn unto me, may they take pleasure in the lifting
up of my hand, may they give ear unto my fervent supplica-
tion. Copious rains, and years of abundance and plenty dur-
ing my reign, may they grant. May they bring me back in
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90 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
safety from battle and combat. May they bring into sub-
mission under my feet all the lands of my enemies, haughty
lands and princes who hate me. And may they shower kindly
blessings upon me and upon my priestly seed. May they
establish my priesthood before Assur and their great divini-
ties forevermore, firm as a mountain.
264. The (record of) the triumphs of my valor, of the
victories of my arms, of the subjugation of the enemy, the
foes of Assur, which Anu and Adad have granted unto me as
a gift, I inscribed on my (stone) memorial tablet(s) and on
my (clay) prism (s), and in the temple of Anu and Adad, the
great gods, my lords, I have set them up forever. Further-
more, the memorial tablets of Shamshi-Adad, my father, I
anointed with oil, I offered sacrifices, and I restored them
unto their place.
Blessings and curses (Col. VIII, 11 . 50-88)
265. In the future days, in days to come, let (some) fu-
ture prince, when that temple of Anu and Adad, the great
gods, my lords, and these temple towers, shall grow old
and shall fall into decay, repair their ruins. Let him anoint
my (stone) memorial tablets and my (clay) prisms with oil,
let him offer sacrifices, and restore them unto their place. Let
him inscribe his own name by the side of mine. Even as (they
have done unto) me, so may Anu and Adad, the great gods,
graciously bring him to joy of heart and the attainment of
victory.
266. But whosoever shall break my memorial tablets and
my prism, or shall deface them, or shall cast them into the
water, or shall bum them in the fire, or shall cover them with
earth, or shall throw them like into a pesthouse, where
they cannot be seen, or shall blot out my name which is
written (thereon) and shall inscribe his own name (in place
thereof), or shall devise any other evil scheme, to do violence
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 91
unto my memorial tablets: — may Anu and Adad, the great
gods,, my lords, look upon him in anger, may they curse him
with an evil curse; may they overthrow his kingdom; may
they uproot the foundations of his royal throne; may they
destroy his lordly seed; may they shatter his weapons; may
they bring defeat upon his hosts and set him in bonds before
his foes. May Adad destroy his land with (his) destructive
thunderbolt, and hurl hunger, famine, want, and bloodshed
upon his land; may he command that he shall not live one
day (longer), and may he destroy his name and his seed from
the land.
Date {Col. VIII , ll. 89-90)
267. The twenty-ninth day of the month of Simanu
( Kusallu ), eponymy of Ina-ilia-allak, the Rab-bilul.
n. ROCK INSCRIPTIONS
268. Unfortunately no annalistic account of Tiglath-pileser’s
activities subsequent to the fifth year of his reign has yet come to light.
But that the five years of campaigning, so fully described in the prism
inscription, were but the beginning of the great struggle waged by the
Assyrian for the mastery of his world, is attested by numerous shorter
texts as well as by the Synchronous History. At the close of a third
campaign against the lands of Nairl, he carved his image and in-
scription on the rocks at Sebeneh-Su, near the sources of the Tigris.
The conquest of the Ahlam.6 Arameans, along the Euphrates, required
at least twenty-eight crossings of that stream. Amurru (Syria) was
subdued and the tribute from the coast cities, and cedar from the
Lebanons, went into the palaces and temples of Assyria. And, finally,
after one abortive effort, Karduniash was subjugated.
269. The two rock inscriptions of Tiglath-pileser are given by
Lehmann-Haupt in his Materialien zur alteren Geschichte Armeniens,
Nos. 6 and 7. The earlier publications of these texts are there indi-
cated (cf. also King, AKA, p. 127 n.). The first of the inscriptions was
probably in commemoration of his first campaign against the Nairi-
lands (year 3, see § 236), the second, as the inscription itself states,
was executed after his third campaign.
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92 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Gonjalu ( Melazgerd ) inscription
270. 1. Tiglath-pileser, the mighty king, king of the uni-
verse, king of Assyria, king of the four regions (of the world),
conqueror of the lands of Nairi, from Tummi to Daiani,
conqueror of Kirhi to the Great Sea.
Sebeneh-Su inscription
271. 2. With the help of Assur, Shamash (and) Adad, the
great gods, my lords, I, Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, son
of Assur-resh-ishi, king of Assyria, (grand) son of Mutakkil-
Nusku, king of Assyria, — conqueror from the Great Sea of
Amurru and the sea of Nairi, I have marched for the third
time against Nairi.
HI. REBUILDING OF THE ROYAL PALACE
AT ASSUR
272. 1. From some fragments of clay tablets in the British Muse-
um and others found at Assur (Kalat Sherkat) by the German excava-
tors, it is possible to reconstruct most of the introductory paragraphs
of an inscription recording the rebuilding of the royal palace. The
text of the first-mentioned tablets was published in HIR, Plate 5,
Nos. 1-5, and again in AKA, pp. 109 f.; that of the latter in KAH,
II, No. 7 3. 1
273. Tiglath-pileser, the mighty king, [king of the uni-
verse, who is without a rival], king of all the four regions (of
the world), who consumes [all of his foes], the pious one, who
adorns Ekur, favorite of Assur, strong and unsparing, who
marches (hither and’ yon), trusting in Assur and Urta, [the
great gods], his lords, and overthrows his foes. Exalted
'prince 1 , whose hand at the command of Shamash, the hero,
has conquered from Babylon of Akkad [to] the Upper Sea
of Amurru, and the sea of the Nairi-land, in mighty combat,
and has brought all under his sway. Mighty torch(?), at the
onset of whose terrible arms the four regions (of the world)
shook and the habitations (of earth) trembled. And the
1 KAB, II, 63, furnishes some aid in the restoration of certain passages.
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 93
wicked enemies of Assur he brought to defeat in battle. He
was like the raging storm. Mighty despot 1
Terrible lord 1 who all the princes of the (four) regions
(of the world) in(?) battle like goes
about and f overthrows(?) the insubmissive(?) 1
274. [Son of Assur-resh]-ishi, king of the universe, king of
Assyria; (grand)son of Mutakkil-Nusku, king of the uni-
verse, king of [Assyria].
* 275. [At that time, the third time(?) against the lands]
of Nairi I marched. The wide lands of Nairi from Tumme
to Daiaeni 1 r I conquered 1 Himua, Taiteri
and Kirhi I conquered]. [X] horses, broken to the yoke, I
[received] as their tribute.
276 'from 1 Mushki in the midst of
'battle 1 r my hand 1 conquered. Their 'battling 1
warriors I Scattered 1 over the barren plain at the r point of
the lance. 1
277 the 'Urumai, 1 the Abeshlai, [ — Hittite peo-
ple who were not submissive — •], I carried off and Reckoned
them as people of my land. 1
278 Salua, the Lulume-land, in its 'entirety 1 ,
[Kumeni, Kutmuhi], and Alzi, I 'conquered 1 , [to their far-
thest border].
(Rest of Obv. wanting.)
(Only few signs of first four lines of Rev. left.)
279. That [palace], from its foundation [to its top, I com-
pletely rebuilt]. I made it more splendid than it was before.
with copper I inclosed. Door-leaves of fir [I made,
with bands of copper] I covered (bound) them and I 'hung
(them) 1 in its gate (door).
280 who with the aid of Assur, Anu, Enlil (B 61 )
. ... , [the great gods 1 , my allies, the lands of
my hand [has conquered] [a
1 These may have been variants on different fragments.
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94 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
live] iurhish which from the land of I Luma(?) 1 ........
of alabaster my royalty and my steles
I inscribed in joy of heart “Palace of
the King of the Four Regions,” I called its name.
281. [In days to come, for] all time, when f that palace 1
[shall become old, etc., ] . . . ( two lines almost com-
pletely gone ) my memorial steles, .... let
him offer sacrifices and [return them to their place 1
Ishtar, lady
282. KAH, No. 73, has the date:
Month Hibur, which is the time of the month Kislimu,
the eighteenth day, the eponymy of Taklak-ana-Assur.
The fragment K 2805 was dated on the twenty-eighth day of some
month.
283. 2. The inscription on fragments of an eight-sided prism,
published in KAH, II, No. 63, may also have commemorated the re-
building of the palace.
284. (Col. I) 1 shook and the habitations
(of earth) trembled. And the wicked enemies of Assur he
brought to defeat in battle, and he was like the raging storm.
Terrible lord, whose frightful warfare 1 has all the
princes of the four regions (of the world)
283. (Col. II) and the land of the
Lulume in its entirety, the lands of the Salua, Kumeni,
Kutmuhi, and Alzi, to their farthest border, I conquered.
286. At the command of Anu and Adad, the great gods,
my lords, I marched to the Lebanon Mountains
(Col. Ill) its (their?) plunder I carried off
and brought (it) to my land.
287. For the twenty-eighth time, in pursuit of the Ahlame
Arameans, I crossed the Euphrates, — the second time in one
year. From Tadmar of Amurru, Anat of Suhi, even as far as
1 The opening lines were in part like those of the introduction of the preceding
text.
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 95
Rapiku of Karduniash (Babylonia) I defeated them
Col. IV including their fortresses, I captured
(them), multitudes of them I slew. Their booty which was
countless, I carried off.
288. I captured the palaces 1 of (the city of) Babylon,
belonging to Marduk-nidin-ahi, king of Karduniash (Baby-
lonia). With fire I burned (them).
289. In the eponymy of Assur-nadin- (and)
in the eponymy of Ninuaia to (against)
290. (Col. V) I established. In a sec-
ond time totally I surrounded. The palace (or
temple) of ruined in
from its foundation to its top I constructed. Limestone
totally
(Col. VI) king of the universe, king [of As-
syria]
IV. INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE BlT-LABUNI
291. Two inscriptions from the bit-labuni tell of the defeat of
Marduk-nidin-ahi, the Babylonian king, after a second battle (texts,
KAH, II, Nos. 66 and 67).
292. i. (No. 66) the land of Hatti
Upon Hi-[Teshub, king] of great Hatti, I re-
ceived. The city of Enzata of the land of I
plundered, to my land I brought [For the
twenty-eighth time] I crossed the Euphrates, — the second
time in one year. [From Tadmar of Amurru,] Anat of Suhi,
even as far as Rapiku [of Karduniash] I defeated them, their
plunder (and) goods [I carried off.]
293. Against Karduniash I marched. From the other side
of the [Lower Zab,] the city of Arman, the plain of Salum, as
far as Lubdi, I conquered. I crossed [the Radana.] The cities
1 Olmstead, History of Assyria, p. 66, regards this as a place-name, Ekallate,
“The Palaces,” evidently identifying it with the dty of this name of Sargon’s day.
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96 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
at the foot of Mount Kamulla (and) Mount Kashtilla I cap-
tured. Their property I brought out, to my city Assur I car-
ried it.
294. In that (same) [year] I marched against Suhi. The
city Sapirata, which [is on an island in the Euphrates,] as well
as the city of Hindani, all the cities of Suhi, I 'captured 1 , their
spoil I carried off; their many gods and I carried
off to my city Assur.
295. At the command of [Assur and Urta] against Kar-
duniash (Babylonia) I marched. The city of r Dur-Kurigal-
zu 1 , Sippar of Shamash, Sippar of Annunitum, [Babylon and
Opis,] which is on the other (far) side of the Tigris, cities
together with their fortresses I captured; multi-
tudes of r them I slew,] countless booty of theirs [I carried off.
The palaces] of Babylon, belonging to Marduk-nadin-ahi ,
[king of Karduniash], I captured. With fire I burned them.
296. In the eponymy of Assur-nadin- and in the
eponymy of Ninuaia, the second time I drew up the line of
[chariots against Marduk-nMin-ahi,] king of Karduniash,
and I smote him.
297. The bitrlabuni , which Tukulti-Urta, my ancestor,
priest of Assur, [had built,] and the wall, together with its
gittdti, which [had been consumed by the flames(?) 1 , the old
which are before the bit-labuni, which Assur-
nadin-ahi, a prince who went before me, had made, — the
court of the bit~[labtmi] I laid; its foundation with limestone
like the structure of the mountains, I 'strengthened 1 . I
made it long; si feet, 1 1 made it wide; 6 each
in Its cracks I smoothed over, with cedar
and -logs, (for) which, at the command of Assur and
Anu, the great gods, my lords, I went [to the Lebanon Moun-
tains] (where) I cut down, and (whence) I brought these
1 Or, perhaps, paces. Neither the foot, nor the pace, are used in the Assyrian
mensuration tables.
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 97
splendid beams of the temple of , where the
great gods, my lords, continually abide. With the rest of
these r cedars and ,] from its foundation to its roof I
constructed it; [with ] in its entirety I surrounded
it. The bit-labuni, [from its foundation] to its top, I construct-
ed it. With burnt brick I surrounded it. That
palace with I made glorious, I beautified,
298. 2. (No. 67) I (re)built the
bit-labuni [Its cracks] I smoothed over.
With boxwood [and ] which I cut in Mount Lebanon,
and from its foundation to its top I constructed
it its breaches (cracks) with tarpi’- wood I re-
stored its with alabaster totally
I beautified. Its walls and pegs for gar-
ments, for its decoration in that terrace for
[a live bur Irish] which from the land of Luma(?)
A nahiru which (they call) a horse of the sea,
[they sent] which Urta and Nergal
.... the god of Amurru
V. REBUILDING OF THE ANU-ADAD TEMPLE
299. From a large number of fragments of clay tablets it was
possible to reconstruct the opening paragraphs of inscriptions that
may have commemorated the rebuilding of the Anu-Adad temple.
The text is published in KAH, H, Nos. 68, 71, and 71 a.
300. 1. (No. 68) Tiglath-pileser, the mighty king, king of
the universe, king of Assyria, king of all the four regions (of
the world), mighty hero, who marched hither and yon under
the protection of Assur and Urta, the great gods, his lords,
and overthrew his foes; son of Assur-resh-ishi, king of the
universe, king of Assyria; (grand)son of Mutakkil-Nusku,
king of the universe, king of Assyria.
301 . At the command of Assur, my lord, from the other
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98 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
side of the Lower Zab to the Upper Sea of the setting sun,
my hand conquered. The third time I went against the Nairi-
lands; the widespread Nairi-lands from Tumme to Daiaeni,
the land of Himua [even as far as] Paiteru, and Kirhi, I
conquered. 30 kings of the Nairi-lands I brought in submis-
sion at my feet; I took hostages from them. Horses, broken to
the yoke, I received as their gifts. Tribute and toll I imposed
upon them.
302. To Mount Lebanon I went. Logs of cedar for the
temple of Anu and Adad, the great gods, my lords, I cut and
brought away. Against Amurru I returned. Amurru in its
entirety I conquered. The tribute of Gubal (Gebail), Sidon
and Arvad I received. I crossed over in ships of Arvad, from
Arvad, which is on the seashore, to Samuri 1 of the land of
Amurru, a journey of 3 “double-hours" (beru), by land. I
killed a nahiru, which they call a “sea-horse,” in the midst
of the sea.
303. And on my return T conquered 1 [Amurru] in its
entirety. Tribute [and toll I imposed].
304. 2. (No. 71) [Tiglath-pileser, etc.,
....], son of Assur-resh-ishi, king of the universe, king of
Assyria, (grand)son of Mutakkil-Nusku, king of the universe,
king of Assyria.
305. The t hi rd time I went against the Nairi-lands. The
Nairi-lands from Tumme to Daiaeni, Himua, Paiteri and
Kirhi I conquered. Horses, broken to the yoke, I received as
their tribute.
306. At the command of Anu and Adad, the great gods,
my lords, I went (and) cut logs of cedar for the temple of
Anu and Adad, the great gods, my lords, and I brought (them
to Assyria). Against Amurru I returned. Amurru in its
totality I conquered. I received the tribute of Arvad. The
(tribute) of the seacoast I received, and on my return 1
1 The Sumur of the Amama Letters aad the Egyptian records.
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TIGLATH-PILESER I 99
brought the land of Hatti in its entirety under my sway. I
imposed tribute and (a levy of) logs of cedar upon Ili-Teshub,
king of great Hatti.
307. Against the city of Milide of great Hatti I proceeded.
I received the tribute of
308. For the twenty-eighth time I crossed the Euphrates,
in pursuit of (lit., back of) the Ahlame Arameans, — the
second time in one year. From Tadmar of Amurru, Anat of
Suhi, even to Rapiku of Karduniash, I defeated them. Their
booty and their goods I carried away to my city Assur.
309. I marched against Karduniash. Dur-Kurigalzu, Sip-
par of Shamash, Sippar of Anunitum, Babylon, and Opis,
which is on that (the far, east) side of the Tigris, together
with their fortresses, I captured. I killed multitudes of
them. Their booty, without number, I carried off. I cap-
tured the palaces of Babylon, belonging to Marduk-nadin-
ahi, king of Karduniash, with fire I burned (them). The pos-
sessions of his palaces I carried off. The second time I drew
up the line of battle chariots against Marduk-nadin-ahi,
king of Karduniash, and I smote him.
310. I marched against Suhi. Sapirata which is (on an
island) in the Euphrates, as well as Hindani, all the cities of
Suhi, I captured. Their orchards I cut down, their
I captured. Their booty I carried off. Their many gods and
their goods I brought to my city Assur.
311. 3. The following lines (KAH, II, No. 71a) were inserted in
some duplicates after the second paragraph of the preceding text:
22,000 warriors of their widespreading lands 1 my hand
captured in the midst of battle. The bodies of their warriors
...... which at the point of my spear . I
The Urumai (and) Abeshlai, peo-
ple of Hatti, who were not submissive, I seized, to the
people of my land I counted them out.
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100 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
313. I conquered the land of the Lulum6 in its entirety,
Salua, Kumeni, Kutmuhi and Alzi to their farthest border.
313. 4. Paving bricks from th,e temple of Anu and Adad had the
following inscription (text, KAH, II, No. 65) :
Tiglath-pileser, priest of Assur; son of Assur-resh-ishi,
priest of Assur: the temple of Anu and Adad, his lords, he
has (re)built and strengthened.
314. 5. A brick inscription from Kalat Sherkat (British Museum,
No. 90,252) was published in IR, Plate 6, No. 5, and again in AKA,
p. 127.
Tiglath-pileser, priest of Assur, son of Assur-resh-ishi,
priest of Assur, has built the temple of Adad, his lord, and
has strengthened it.
VI. STELE ERECTED AT ASSUR
315. Tiglath-pileser’s memorial stele at Assur bore the simple in-
scription (Andrae, Stelenreihen, pp. 21 f.):
Stele (image) of 'Tiglath’-pileser, [son of] f Assur-resh]-ishi.
Vn. VASE INSCRIPTION OF PIRHU-LISHIR, SERVANT
OF TIGLATH-PILESER
316. The text of an inscription on a dedicatory vase (from Assur)
is published in KAB, II, No. 64.
From the office (lit., house of seals) of the accounts of the
brewers, belonging to the temple of Assur, which is under the
hand of Pirhu-lishir, the chief of the fixed dues of the Assur
temple, servant of Tiglath-pileser, the mighty king, king of
the universe, king of Assyria.
VIII. RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE OF
ISHTAR AT NINEVEH
317. The temple of Ishtar, at Nineveh, was restored by Tiglath-
pileser in or after the tenth year of his reign. This we learn from some
fragments of tablets in the British Museum (K 2804, 2806, 2807), pub-
lished in AKA, pp. 116 ff.
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TIGLATH-PILESER I ioi
318. 1. (K 2806, K 2804) the widespreading
armies of the Mushki I brought down
within the border of my land I brought (lit., turned) it
I subjugated. 4,000 of the Urumai and Abeshlai,
— Hittite people who were not submissive, [I carried off] and
reckoned them [as people of my land]. The land of the
Lulume, in its entirety I conquered. Twenty-five of their
gods to the gods of my city Assur, and the goddesses
of my land, I presented unto Adad, my lord, I
gave (as a gift).
319 The wide lands of Nairi, from Tumme to
Daiaeni and the Upper Sea, I conquered. Thirty
of their kings I brought in submission to my feet and I
placed rings into their noses, like bulls, and I betook myself
to my city of Assur. Tribute and tax I imposed upon them.
320. [From Suhi] unto Carchemish, of the land of Hatti,
I raided in one day. In pursuit of them I crossed the Eu-
phrates in vessels [made of skins]. Six of their cities [which
lay at the foot of the mountain of Beshri 1 1 captured. Their
spoil, their goods and their possessions I carried away to my
city Assur.
321 [the land of Kumani 1 as far as Mount
Mehri I conquered. The city of Hunusa I over-
threw, to tells and ruins I firmed it and I scattered sipa-
(stones) upon it the great royal city [I over-
whelmed] like the deluge, to tells and ruins I turned it
to my city Assur . who trusted in boldness
and strength and siege engines I captured it. 2,000
of their captives, them. 20,000 of the warriors of
Kumani into the border of my land, above
and below (i.e., north and south) I turned.
(At the end of K 2804 stands the following:)
322 I have marched
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io2 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
the Lower Zab as far as sea of the setting
sun in the io years of my reign, hostages I took
from them, and laid tribute upon them and
caused them to dwell in habitations of peace
.... the temple of Ishtar
323. 2. (K 2807) Karduniash(?) to
my city Assur I brought
324 the city — irdi, cities of r Kumani(?)]
they withheld; who tribute and gifts who
from the earliest times had not known submission, into whose
midst no king [among the kings my fathers] had come.
(My) chariots and my armies I mustered
the cities of Matkiu, fSudrun 1 Arruhundu, Saka,
Inishti, S&kama — tun, Shuria, and
Na the city of — hirdi, cities of
the cities of Lila, Hirishtu, 14 cities in all,
I captured their fspoil 1 , their goods [and their pos-
sessions] I carried away to my [city Assur].
325. {Rev.) against the land of the Lulume I
marched the cities of Matkia and Andaria
the land of 'Adaush 1 which is this side of the Lower
Zab, I captured the wide land of the Lulume and
Adaush I brought in submission to my feet ......
tribute and tax I imposed upon them.
326. [At that time the temple of Ishtar], my lady, which
Shamshi-Adad who lived before me, had restored,
it fell into ruins, and Assur-uballit [restored it].
Again it fell into ruins and Shalmaneser [restored it]
it fell into ruins and its terrace Ishtar, my lady,
anew I made it splendid and added there-
to^).
{Rest of Rev . gone.)
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TIGLATH-PILESER I
103
IX. FRAGMENTS OF TEXTS
327. The following fragmentary texts cannot be dated or as-
signed to any particular dedicatory inscription. Some may not even
be Tiglath-pileser inscriptions ( KAH , II, No. 69; ibid,., No. 74; ibid.,
No. 75; ibid., No. 72; ibid., No. 70; ibid., No. 78).
328. 1. (No. 64) the land of Amurru in [its] en-
tirety [I conquered]. [Gebail 1 (Byblos), Sidon [and Arvad sent
tribute] I caught a great pagutu on my
return Tribute, taxes and logs of cedar
on the Hittite-land I imposed.
329. Against I went. The taxes which I . . . .
.... of the land of Ishua and Suh— I carried
off and brought to my land.
330. [For the twenty-eighth time] I crossed the Eu-
phrates, — the second time in one year. [From Tadmar of
Amurru], Anat of Suhi, [as far as Rapiku] of Karduniash, I
accomplished their defeat to my city
Assur, I brought.
331 from the other side of the Lower Zab
Lubdi, I conquered. The Radana [I crossed].
The cities at the feet of Mount Kamulla and of Mount Kash-
tilla I captured. Their property I carried off and brought it
to my city Assur.
332. [The same year] I marched [against Suhi]. The city
of Sapirata
333. 2. (No. 74) the royal throne
... of Urta chariots
chariots and soldiers heaven; smiting with
the thunderbolt before me, did not come
their difficult ways with bronze pick-
axes, I cut, to their [remote] districts
. . . . inUruadri Bargun,Mel
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104 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
their numerous gifts like a storm over them
I seized. In against
.... a prince
334. 3. (No. 75) which [At thebe-
ginning] of my reign mighty forces
.... strong hero, whom Assur difficult roads(?)
knees, they did (could) not go
they went; [barren] regions had not gone
months with bronze pick axes, [I cut]
into the remote regions I penetrated.
The cities Kukiaba, 'Adarra 1 Ishtaiaun. Ikki-
Tarraba, Zurzura Ishtam-
nia, Ara-
Hirishtu,
. . Hibbu, Ha-
-zikunu
• •
335. 4. (No. 72) . .
them. In
. . . . they slew. In ... .
against (Pover) them of the land of Adaush
the governor of that (?) city
my (?).... Of the land of Adaush like (?) a
city and to Adaush I(?) entered
336. 5. (No. 70) Tiglath-pileser king of
all the [four] regions (of the world) who under the
protection of the king who like a storm (?) on-
set the fire-god (Girru)
337. 6. (No. 78) horses
my of my priesthood (which) they
commanded I killed, 1,600
mighty .... I(?) seized.
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CHAPTER VIII
THE SUCCESSORS OF TIGLATH-PILESER I
I. URTA-APIL-EKUR II
338. The broken text on the fragment of a vase may be assigned
tentatively to Urta-apil-Ekur II, usurping successor to Tiglath-
pileser on the Assyrian throne. Text published in KAE, II, No. 76.
Urta-apil-Ekur, king of the universe
priest of Enlil and Urta.
II. ASSUR-BEL-KALA
339. Probably after a long struggle, Assur-bel-kala, son of Tiglath-
pileser, gained the throne. His inscription, written on the back of the
torso of a female statue preserved in the British Museum, seems to have
been intended for his city governors, as a reminder of their allegiance
to him. The text was published in IR, Plate 6, No. 6, and again in
AKA, pp. 152 ff.
340. The palace of Assur-bel-[kala, king of the universe,
the mighty king, king of Assyria], son ofTiglath-pileser,king of
[the universe,] the mighty [king, king of Assyria], the son of
Assur-resh-ishi, king of the universe, [the mighty king, king
of] Assyria.
These statues 1 .... among the rulers of cities(?) and the
curses(?) thereon I have fashioned(?) Whosoever
shall alter my inscription or my name, may the god r Hanish]
(and) the gods of the land of Amurru smite him in open
battle.
341. In Keilschrifttexte aus Assur religiosen Inhalts, HI, No. 126,
Ebeling published two fragments of what he believed to be a religious
text. But Schroeder ( OLZ , XX [1917], 305) has shown that the second
fragment is part of a historical inscription of Assur-bel-kala. 3
1 The word seems to mean “bust.”
3 For a stele which may have been that of Assur-b£l-kala, see Andrae, Stelen-
reihen, pp, 35 f.
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io6 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Assur-bel-kala the king without a rival
viceroy, lord of lands whom As-
sur, Enlil the rule of the land of Assyria ....
. . . . the lands r who shatters 1 ....
III. SHAM SHI- AD AD IV
342. Another son of Tiglath-pileser named Shamshi-Adad (IV)
has left us some building inscriptions. Their text, from bowl fragments
in the British Museum, was published in IIIR, Plate 3, No. 9, and
again in AKA, pp. 150 ff. A second broken text is published in KAH,
II, No. 79.
343. 1. Shamshi-Adad, [the mighty king, king of the uni-
verse, king of] Assyria, the son of Tiglath-[pileser, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of] Assyria, the son of Assur-
resh-ishi, [the mighty king, king of the universe, king of]
Assyria. When the bU-mmeru .... which a prince, who
went before me, [had built, had fallen to decay, I repaired it],
r A memorial stele 1 for future days I inscribed and in ... .
[have I set up] the land of Assyria.
344. 2. To Assur, his lord Shamshi-Adad,
prefect of Enlil] son of Tiglath-pileser
son of Assur-resh-ishi for his life, the welfare
of his city, has presented. In whether to the
house of god or to the house of or to the house
of they take him (?) to the place
which
IV. ERlBA-ADAD II.
344A. From the reign of Eriba-Adad n, ca. 1050 B.c., hardly
from that of Eriba-Adad I (cf. §§ 53 f.) comes the text K 2693, pub-
lished by Winckler, Altorientalische Forschungen, III, 248. It com-
memorated the restoration of Eharsagkurkurra.
344B. Eriba-Adad, the great king, , king of the
four regions (of the world), illustrious , led by the
hand of Urta(?), favored by Enlil (Bel), mighty hero,
the faithless, shattering , mighty torch(?) which
the proud regions
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THE SUCCESSORS OF TIGLATH-PILESER I 107
mountains and haughty enemies of the storm,
like a hurricane the insubmissive, the
god Ea(?) (Rev.) conqueror of
countless (?) the king, its struc-
ture Eharsagkurkurra
V. ASSUR-NASIR-PAL I AND SHALMANESER H
345. Brick inscriptions of Assur-n&sir-pal I and his son Shalmane-
ser II are published in KAH, II, Nos. 80 and 81. The stele inscription
of Shalmaneser is published in Andrae, Stelenreihen, pp. 23 f .
x. Palace of Assur-nasir-pal, king of the universe, king of
Assyria, son of Shamshi-Adad, king of Assyria.
346. 2. Palace of Shalmaneser, prefect of Enlil (Bel),
priest of Assur, son of Assur-nasir-pal, prefect of Enlil (Bel),
priest of Assur.
347. 3. Stele of Shalmaneser, the great king, king of the
universe, king of Assyria; son of Assur-nasir-pal, king of
Assyria; (grand) son of Shamshi-Adad, king of Assyria.
VI. ASSUR-RfiSH-ISHI H
348. From Assur we have the stele inscription of Assur-resh-ishi,
son of Assur-rabi (Andrae, Stelenreihen, p. 22).
Stele of Assur-resh-ishi, king of Assyria, son of Assur-rabi,
king of Assyria.
VH. ASSUR-D AN II
349. From Assur-d&n II we have a brick inscription from the
palace at Assur {KAH, II, No. 82), a zigatw-inscription commemorat-
ing the restoration of the Metal-Workers’ Gate (Andrae, Fesl., pp.
166 f., Tafel XCV), and a dedicatory inscription to Assur {KAH, I,
No. 20).
350. x. Palace of Assur-dan, the mighty king, king of the
universe, king of Assyria; son of Tiglath-pileser (II), the
mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, (grand) son
Assur-resh-ishi, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of
of Assyria; (great-grand) son of Assur-rabi, the mighty king,
the king of the universe, king of Assyria.
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108 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
351. 2. Assur-d£n, the mighty king, king of the universe,
king of Assyria, son of Tiglath-pileser (II), the mighty king,
king of the universe, king of Assyria, (grand)son of Assur-
resh-ishi, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of
Assyria, (great-grand)son of Assur-rabi, the mighty king,
king of the universe, king of Assyria.
352. At that time that Gurgurri Gate (Metal-Workers’
Gate) which aforetime Tiglath-pileser (I), priest of Assur, son
of Assur-resh-ishi, priest of Assur, (grand)son of Mutakkil-
Nusku, the priest, the prince, who lived before my (time),
had built, — that gate had fallen to ruins. Its ruins I cleared
away. I cleansed its site, I went down to its foundation.
From its foundation (walls) to its top I rebuilt, I completed
it. I made it more splendid than it was before.
At that time I (also) made kubartu and sakku (vessels)
and put them on the top of the gate of my city.
353. In the days to come, for all time, when that Gur-
gurri Gate shall become old and fall to decay, may (some)
future prince restore its ruins, may he return my inscribed
name to its place. (Then) Assur, Adad, Sin and Shamash, (as
well as) Ishtar, the great gods, will hear his prayers.
Month of Tashritu, first day, eponymy of tArrutu 1 , son
of f Nazimimi(?) 1 .
354. 3. To Assur, father of the great gods, his lord, Assur-
d&n, viceroy of Enlil (Bel), priest of Assur, son of Tiglath-
pileser (II), viceroy of Enlil (Bel), priest of Assur, (grand)son
of Assur-resh-ishi, viceroy of Enlil (B&l), priest of Assur,
(great-grand)son of Assur-rabi, viceroy of Enlil (B 61 ), priest
of Assur; days
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CHAPTER IX
adad-nirAri II
I. THE ANNALS
355. Of the greatest importance to the historian was the re-
covery by the German excavator at Assur of the annals of Adad-
niritri II (9x1-891 b.c.). These annals form the long introduction to a
short text commemorating the rebuilding of the temple of Gula, found-
ed by Tukulti-Urta I, Adad-nirari’s “ancestor.” The text is published
in KAE, II, No. 84.
356 Shamash, judge of heaven and earth,
director of all (things); Adad, leader of the gods, lord of
oracles (laws) ; Urta, ruler of the Igigi and Annunaki; Nergal,
the perfect (in strength), king of battle; Nusku, who bears a
shining staff, the god who renders (divine) decisions; Ninlil,
wife of Enlil (Bel), mother of the great gods; Ishtar, first in
heaven and earth, who fills full the measure of bravery; the
great gods, who carry out decrees, who decide fate, — Adad-
nirari, the exalted prince, they have duly created;
[my lowly birth(P) 1 to a lordly birth they have changed;
the state of my members they have brought to perfection, so
that my lordly body “heaped up wisdom.” Afterward the
great gods uttered their decree and put into my hand a
scepter, (called) “Ruler of Peoples” ; they carried the splendor
of [my] kingship far beyond that of the (other) kings who
wear the crown; they crowned (me) with surpassing renown;
they made my name exceeding great, above that of all
princes. Adad-nirari, king of Assyria, they called me.
Mighty king, king of Assyria, king of the four regions (of the
world), the Sun of all peoples, am I.
357. Son of Assur-dan, prefect of Enlil (Bel), priest of
IO9
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no ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Assur, who slew all his enemies, and (grand) son of Tiglath-
pileser, king [of Assyria]; illustrious offspring of Assur-
resh-ishi, the warrior king, who trampled down the wicked.
358. In these days, when at the command of the great
gods, my lordly sovereignty (lit., kingship and lordship) has
manifested itself, going forth to plunder the goods of the
lands, I am royal, I am lordly, I am mighty, I am honored, I
am exalted, I am glorified, I am powerful, I am all powerful,
I am brilliant, I am lion-brave, I am manly, I am supreme, I
am noble (v., I am violent).
359. Adad-nirari, the mighty king, the king of Assyria,
king of the four regions (of the world), who slays his enemies,
am I. The king, powerful in battle, who overthrows cities,
who bums the mountains of the lands, am I. Strong hero,
who consumes his enemies(?), who bums up the wicked and
the evil, am I. Like fire I bum, like the storm I cast down,
who has no conqueror (none who can sub-
due him). Like the heavy staff of a spear, like a sharp(?)
dagger, I slay the wicked. Like the onset of a storm, I press
on(?). Like an evil downpour, I rage; like off-
spring^), I tear up. Like a net, I entangle, like a bird snare, I
imprison. At the mention of my mighty name, the princes of
the four regions (of the world) trembled like a “storm-cord.” _
At my undertaking a march, their foundation r was shaken(P) 1 tJ )c U«i
like ktifrBtod-meti. kt$kl#e .-/***•««£ ' set.tlhu 1 2 u>i» 1 nz
360. Mighty hero, who marched with the help of Assur,
his lord, from the other side of the Lower Zab, (by) the bor-
ders of the Lulume-land, of Kirhi, and of Zamua, as far as the
passes of the land of Namri, and brought in submission to his
feet the widespread Kumane, as far as the lands of Mehri,
Salua and Uradri (Armenia); who brought under his sway
Kutmuhi in its entirety and added (lit., turned) it to the
border of his land. Conqueror of Karduniash (Babylonia) in
its entirety, who established the overthrow of Shamash-
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ADAD-NIRARI n III
mudammik, king of Karduniash, from Ialman to the river of
Dfir-ilani; — (the land) from Lahiru to the plain of Salum was
added to the territory of Assyria. The land of Der I con-
quered in its entirety. Arrapha, Lubda, strongholds of Kar-
duniash, I restored to the territory of Assyria.
361 . And (I am he) who, for the fourth time, went against
the Nairi-lands and conquered with his hand Kirhi, which
lies inside (and) the cities of Nahu and Ashnahu(?) ; and who
crossed over mighty mountains and conquered the cities of
the land of Nadbi and I overturned the land of Alzi in its
entirety so that it became like a ruin left by a flood. Their
hostages I took, tribute and tax I imposed upon them.
362. The defeat of the desert folk, the Ahlam6 Arameans,
was accomplished; the tribute of Suhi was received. (I am
he) who returned the cities of Hit, (Idu, and) Zakku, strong-
holds of Assyria, to the territory of his land. The cities of
Arinu, Turhu, Zaduri, the confederacy(P) of Shupre, were
tom from Assyria. The old city of Apku, which the kings
who went before me had built, had fallen to decay and was
turned to a mound of ruins. That city I rebuilt. From its
foundation to its top I repaired and finished it. I made it
beautiful, I made it splendid, I made it greater than it had
been before. My royal palace, a surpassing (structure), I
built therein.
363. In the eponymy of Dfir-mati-Assur, I marched
against the wide land of Hanigalbat. Nur-Adad, the Teman-
ite, mustered his hosts. By (in) the city of Pa’zi, which is at
the foot of Mount Kashiari, we drew up the battle line; we
battled with one another. From Pa’zi to Nasibina, I accom-
plished their defeat. Multitudes of his chariots I carried off.
364. In the eponymy of Ekaia, I marched against Hani-
galbat the second time. By (in) Nasibina I fought with him.
With the blood of his warriors I dyed the plain. I entered
the city of Iaridi. The crops of its land I reaped. I counted
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ii2 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
the city of Saraku as my own. Grain and straw I heaped up
therein.
365. In the eponymy of Ninuaia, I marched against
Hanigalbat the third time. I took the city of Huzirina. (Its)
wall I leveled flat (with the ground). The cities at the foot of
Mount Kashiari, which Mamli, the Temanite, had taken,
seized my feet; his palaces I counted as my own. At that
time I received a great pagutu and a small pagutu, products
of the land of Tur-adini 1 which is situated on the bank of the
Euphrates.
366. In the eponymy of Likberu, I marched against Hani-
galbat for the fourth time. Then Mukuru, the Temanite, be-
came afraid of the curse of the great gods, and forced me
into battle and combat. He put his trust in his fortified city,
his mighty bow, his widespreading hosts, and the Arime (the
Arameans), and broke (the treaty) with me. I mustered my
chariots and armies. Against Gidara, which the Arameans
call Ratammatu, and which since (the days of) Tiglath-
pileser, son of Assur-resh-ishi, king of Assyria, a prince who
went before me, the Arameans had held by force, I marched.
In the wisdom of my heart, such as (lit., which) did not exist
among the kings, my fathers, I overthrew the cities round
about it. In order to level that city of his to the ground, I dug
a ditch (around) it. Before my terrible arms, the violent
and mighty onsets of my attack, they became afraid and
with a powerful (or brave) assault I entered into Ratammatu
against that one. I brought him down out of his palace. His
possessions, valuable mountain stone (crystal), his chariots,
horses, his wives, his sons, his daughters, an enormous booty,
he collected in front of me. On him and his brothers, — with
bonds of copper I had them bound, to my city Assur I
brought (them). The might and power of Assur, my lord, I
established over Hanigalbat.
1 Perhaps M&r-Adini.
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ADAD-NIRARI II 1 13
367. In the eponymy of Adad-ah-iddina, governor of
Assur, I marched against Hanigalbat for the fifth time. The
tribute of the lands I received.
368. In the eponymy of Adad-dan, with the fury of my
mighty weapons I proceeded against Hanigalbat the sixth
time. Nur-Adad, the Temanite, I shut up in Nasibina. Seven
cities round about it I overthrew. Assur-dini-amur, the tar-
tan, I caused to remain there (lit., dwell therein). A moat
such as had never existed before, I cut around it, through the
solid rock (lit., mighty mountain). I made it 9 cubits wide.
Below, I made its bottom reach the (nether) waters. The
(city) wall, with the help of my warriors, I leveled (into) that
ditch as a flame (would level it). They cried out over it, — a
mighty roar as of a fierce, leveling storm. Fire [broke out] in it.
grain, I watched it. At the command of Assur, the
great god, my lord, out of that city his . . . . , his
gold, his possessions, precious mountain-stone, his gods, his
chariots and teams of horses .... for my yoke(?), the
staff he used in battle, golden chairs, dishes of shining gold
inlaid , costly inlaid weapons, a golden tent,
befitting his royalty, whose weight I could not
lift (lit., grasp), and the wealth of his spacious palace, I car-
ried off.
369. (Rev.) king of r all peoples]
on his royal throne took his seat. In the midst of
pure sacrifices he apportioned (divided) cattle he
, (sesame) wine,— choice wine, he furnished (caused
to flow) ; wines, food, sweetmeats for my country, he supplied,
his sacrifices he offered, the effulgence of his surpassing glory
consumed all of them. The lands of the kings were distressed.
The mountains trembled. The king solemnly(?) spoke to his
nobles : “The hero of Assur, — the glory of his might is surpas-
sing; his work is that of Dagan; (he is) a king making great
his glory.” Nur-Adad, together with his widespreading
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i H ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
armies, as booty I brought before me. Cities from those of the
people of Assyria I gave them. His number I counted.
370. In the same eponymy, in my campaign in which I
brought before me Nur-Adad, the Temanite, together with
his widespreading armies, as booty and carried him to my
land, and caused him to dwell (?) in Nineveh, chariots (and)
troops I mobilized; (over) difficult roads, steep mountains,
which were not suited for the going of my chariots and armies,
to which no one among the kings my fathers, had drawn near,
into which no bird that flies under heaven ever penetrates,
against the cities Simat, Sapanu, which since the reign of
Tukulti-Urta, king of Assyria, son of Shalmaneser, king of
Assyria, a prince who went before me, had withheld tribute
and tax (due) to Assur my lord, I marched. Simat and
Sapanu I besieged; with them I battled; multitudes of them
I slew. Their spoil, — their property and their goods, then-
cattle, their sheep, I brought out and carried away to my
city Assur. The cities of the prefecture of Simat and Sapanu,
I captured in their entirety. The rest of them who had fled
before my mighty weapons, came down and seized my feet.
I received gifts from them. Tribute and tax I made heavy
and imposed upon them.
371. In the month Simfinu, the fifteenth day, in the ep-
onymy of Ina-ilia-alak, I advanced to the aid of the city of
Kumme. I offered sacrifices before Adad of Kumme, my
lord. The cities of Kirhi, the enemies of Kumme, I burned
with fire. The crops of its land I gathered; tribute and tax I
made heavy and imposed upon them.
372. In the month of Nisdnu, in the eponymy of Adad(?)-
ia, for the second time, I went to the aid of Kumme. Sadkuri,
Iasabdu, Kunnu, Tapsia, cities of Kirhi which lie about
Kumme, had withheld the horses (which were) to be hitched
to my yoke; — those cities I captured, I burned with fire, I
devastated, I destroyed.
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ADAD-NIRARI II II 5
373. At the command of Assur, the great lord, my lord,
and Ishtar, lady of battle and combat, who goes before my
widespreading armies, in the month of Simdnu, in the same
eponymy, for the fifth time I marched against Hanigalbat.
The tribute of Hanigalbat, north and south, I received. The
whole of the wide land of Hanigalbat I brought under my
sway. To the territory of my land I turned it. I made them
all subject to one rule. The Habur I crossed; against Guzanu
which Abisalamu, son of Bahiani, held, I marched. The
caverns(?) which are situated at the sources of the Habur I
entered. Through the mighty power of Shamash, my pro-
tecting lord, lover of my priesthood, I received from him large
numbers of his chariots, horses broken to the yoke, silver,
gold, his property and goods. Tribute I imposed upon him.
In my march, I came (or, kept) to the bank of the Habur. In
Arnabani I spent the night. From Amabani I departed, in
Dabite I spent the night. From Dabite I departed, into Sha-
dini I entered. Tribute and tax, a chariot of gold, I received.
From Shadini I departed. In Kisiri I spent the night. From
Kisiri 1 I departed, into Katni I entered. Amel-Adad, the
Katnite, I established as (my) vassal. The property of his
palace, a chariot, horses, wagons, oxen, I received from him.
Tribute I imposed upon him. From Katni I departed. In
the land Ebfisi, lying over against the Habur, I spent the
night. From Ebfisi I departed, into Dfir-aduk-ana-pani I
entered. Dfir-aduk-ana-pani I counted as my own. From
Dfir-aduk-ana-pani I departed, to Lak£, to the city Ashkiurih
(which) Bar-Atara, son of Halube, held, I marched. Tribute
and tax I received from him. To Sha-Harani I proceeded.
Tribute and tax (I received). To Siuki, which is situated on
the other bank of the Euphrates, which Iddin-Dadda, of
Lak§, held, I marched. Tribute and tax, the property of his
palace, oxen, and colts(?), tribute and tax of the whole of
1 Written Sikiri, by mistake.
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n6 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Lake, north and south, I received. The tax of the city of
Hindani I received; to my city Assur I carried it.
374. I built palaces throughout my land. Plows through-
out my land I constructed. The grain piles I increased over
those of former days and heaped them up. Horses broken to
the yoke I increased and throughout my country,
over those of former days.
375. The gods Urta ( NIN-UR ) and Nergal ( IGI-DU ),
who love my priesthood, gave to me the [beasts] of the
field, and commanded me to follow the chase. 360 lions I
slew from my hunting(?) chariot, by my strong attack, and
on my swift feet, with the javelin(?). 240 wild oxen I slew.
Seven mighty wild bulls, charging (lit., running), I caught
alive. Six elephants I killed on the rush. Into pits I cast
them. Four live elephants I captured. Five ashkippu I cap-
tured. Lions, wild oxen, elephants, deer, wild goats, wild
asses, gazelles, MAL-SHIR-birds, herds of (them), I gath-
ered into cages(?).
376. When the old (former) temple of Gula, my lady,
which Tukulti-Urta, my ancestor, priest of Assur, had built
aforetime, (when) that temple fell to ruins, I cleared away
its ruins, I went down to its foundation platform. That
temple I made much larger than it was before and I made it
big. From its foundation to its top I completed it, and set
up my memorial stele. Let (some) future prince restore its
ruins; let him return my inscription to its place. (Then)
Assur and Gula will hear his prayers. But the one who de-
stroys my name and inscription, may Assur and Gula over-
throw his rule, and destroy his name (and) his seed, from
the land.
377. The month Abu, the seventeenth day, in the epony-
my of Ilu-napishta-nasir, eunuch of Adad-nirari, king of
Assyria.
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ADAD-NIRARI II 117
n. QUAY-WALL INSCRIPTION
378. Adad-Nirari’s quay-wall inscription also contained a sum-
mary of his early campaigns (text, KAH, II, No. 83 [Andrae, Fest.,
p. 187, and Tafel XCVI]).
379. Adad-nirari, the great king, the mighty king, king
of the universe, king of Assyria, king of all the four regions
(of the world), favorite of Assur, exalted prince, who went
forth under the tutelage of Assur and Urta, the great gods,
his lords, and conquered all his foes; son of Assur-dan, king
of the universe, king of Assyria; (grand) son of Tiglath-
pileser, king of the universe, king of Assyria; (great grand)son
of Assur-resh-ishi, king of the universe, king of Assyria.
380. In the beginning of my kingship, in my first year of
reign, when I solemnly took my seat upon the royal throne,
at the command of Assur, the great lord, my lord, I mobilized
my chariots (and) I marched against Kumane. The wide-
spread Kumaneans I conquered. Iluia, king of Kumane, my
hand seized in the midst of his palace. His brothers I cut
down in heaps. Multitudes of them I slew. Their spoil, their
property, their goods, their cattle, their sheep, I carried off
to the city Assur. Their gods I placed before Assur, my lord,
as fgifts. 1 The rest of their troops, who had fled before my
weapons (and later) had returned, I caused them to inhabit
a peaceful abode.
381. (Rev.) the Tigris [I crossed]
40 cities three of their cities I destroyed, multi-
tudes of them I slew. Their gods, their spoil, their property,
their goods, their cattle, their sheep I brought out and took
away to my city Assur.
382. In the month of Arahsamna, the fourth day, I
marched against Kirhi Baza, Sarbalia (d.,
Sirbalia), Diduala, together with the cities on the bank of the
Ruru River, (which is in the) land of Mehri, I captured.
Their spoil and their possessions I brought out and carried to
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1 1 8 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
my city Assur ( v ., after “ possessions ,” their mehri- wood I cut
down, I carried off).
383. At that time the quay wall of the edge (lit., city
threshold) 5 of the city which is below the temple of Assur,
which Adad-nirari, priest of Assur, son of Arik-den-ilu, priest
of Assur, a prince who lived before me, had built, had fallen
to decay, had disappeared (been carried off). I restored its
ruins, — I cleared its foundation platform; from its founda-
tions to its top I rebuilt and completed it, I made it more
beautiful than it was before. My memorial stele I inscribed
and set up therein. Let (some) future prince restore its ruins,
let him return my inscription to its place. (Then) Assur, the
great lord, will hear his prayers (v. adds, whoever shall blot
out my name and write his own name instead, may the gods
destroy his land).
384. The month Kislimu, the sixth day; eponymy of
Sheim- Assur, governor of Kakzi; Gabbia-ana- Assur, governor
of Assur, Adad-ah-iddina, the city prefect, the guardians of
the quay wall.
m. THE “BROKEN OBELISK” INSCRIPTION
38s. The “Broken Obelisk” in the British Museum, said to have
been found at Kuyunjik, has furnished material for speculation ever
since its incription became known to scholars. The long introduction
records the conquests and hunting exploits of some Assyrian king, in
the third person, while in the building inscription at the end, the nar-
rative is in the first person. For the most part scholars have thought
of the introduction as an account of the military and hunting exploits
of Tiglath-pileser I, while the first-person narrative was assigned to
some successor of this king. But with the recovery of parts of early
kings’ and eponym lists, as well as the annals of Adad-nirari II, it
seems almost certain that the obelisk, in its final form, comes from this
king’s reign. At the beginning of the building section we are told of a
canal dug by Assur-d&n which was restored after thirty years, by the
author of the inscription. Assur-dan H and his son Adad-nirari II
1 Cf. Adad-nirari, I, §§ 84 ff., and Shalmaneser’s Black Obelisk, § 582.
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adad-nirari n 119
would fit this chronological situation better than any other two As-
syrian kings. Further on in the section we hear of the rebuilding of
the city of Apku. Adad-nirctri II in his annals (§ 362) gives a detailed
account of his restoration of this city.
386. So far the writer is in perfect agreement with Julius Lewy
(cf. Orientalistische Literatur Zeitung, XXVI [1923], 197 f.). But
whether Lewy is right in making the narrative in the third person an
account of the reign of Tukulti-Urta I is not so certain. It is true that
he named his son and successor after the great king who lived some
three centuries before his own time. But, until some new eponym
lists are found, which will contain the ltw«-names found in the “Broken
Obelisk,” any suggested solution of our problem must be received with
caution.
387. The writer is inclined to believe that the monument was in-
scribed with the annals and hunting exploits of Tiglath-pileser I, that
it was, however, never finished — blank spaces are left where the num-
bers of the slain beasts were to stand 1 — and that Adad-nirari II “ac-
quired merit” by setting it up, after adding his own short inscription.
The text was published in IIIR, Plate 4, No. x, and IR, Plate 28;
again in AKA, pp. 128 f.
388. {Col. /).... the great gods, a .... Who ....
with the help of . . . the peoples of , 3 king of Akkad.
. . A {Col. II). One thousand men of the land of ... . 4,000
of them he carried away as prisoners and brought them down
to the land of Assyria unto the land of ... . the
land of ... . and . . . the month Kislimu .... in the
land
389. In that year, and in the month Ddzti, the city of
.... which is in the land of Mushki(?) .... In the month
Simanu, in the eponymy of Assur- .... the temple of Anu
and Adad to unto the city of Assur .... In that
1 Cf. § 392. 1 Ll. 3-xi almost completely defaced.
’ The traces of the name that stood here suggest a restoration to Marduk-
nkdin-ah. 4 , who was a contemporary of Tiglath-pileser I (see King, AKA, p. 129,
n. 2, and §§ 291 fi. above). If the traces of the name as given by King are correct,
then Lewy’s argument falls to the ground.
« Lower part of the column is wanting.
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120 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
year, and in the month Kislimu, .... from above the river
Habur, the land Harki(?), as far as the city of Carchemish,
which is in Hatte, he raided in boats made of skins
[he crossed the Euphrates]. ..... (Col. Ill) In that year
and in the same month, during the expedition against the
land of Arime, in the city of Shasiri (or, a city of the desert),
which is in the province of the city of .... he fought (a
battle). In that year and in the month Ddzu, during an ex-
pedition against the land of Arime, in the city of .... which
is in the land of ... he fought a battle.
390. In the month . . . . , in the eponymy of Assur-ra’im-
nisheshu, the city of Tur ta, in the land of Musri, he cap-
tured. In that year and in the month Shabdtu, the chariots
and .... from the city of Assur [he took,] and the city of,
— indishula and the city of — sande, cities which are in the
province of Dtir-Kurigalzu, he captured. Kadashman-buri-
ash, the son of Ki — , the governor of their land, was seized.
In that year, and in the month Aim, during an expedition
against the land of Arime, (in) the city of Pausa, which lies
at the foot of Mount Kasiari(?), he fought (a battle). In that
year, and in the same month, during an expedition against
the land of Arime, at the entrance (lit., head) of the city of
Nabula . . . , he fought (a battle). In that year and in the
month of Simdnu, the soldiers of the land of Musri, he carried
off. In the same year, and in the same month, during an ex-
pedition against the land of Arime, in the city of — tibua(?),
which is on the Tigris, he fought a battle. In that year, and
in the month Abu, during an expedition against the land of
Arime, in the cities of Lishur-sala-Assur, which are in the
province of the city of Shinamu, he fought a battle. In that
year and in the same month (the inhabitants of) the city of
Shft — ra, which is in the land of Hanigalbat, he carried off.
The city of Hulza, which is in the midst of the Mount Kashi-
ari, and the city of Erisha, which the (people) of Kir hi fheld 1 ,
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ADAD-NIRARI II 121
he captured, and three he brought out. In that year,
and in the month Ululu, during an expedition against the
land of Arime, in the city of Murarir(?), which is in the land
of Shupre, he fought a battle. In that year and in the month
. . . from the land of Mahirani to the city of Shuppa(?), which
is in the land of Harran, he raided.
391 . In the month Kislimu , in the eponymy of Ilu-iddina,
during an expedition against the land of Arime, in the city of
Makrisi, which is in Mount Iari(?), he fought (a battle). In
that year, and in the same month, during an expedition
against the land of Arime, in the city of Dfir-katlimu he
fought (a battle). In that year and in the same month . . .
against the city of Sangarite, [which is on] the Euphrates,
... In that year and in the same month he
fought (a battle) .... in the city of Gulguli(?) .... Mount
Hani In that year and in the month Arahsamna
.... together with the drinking-places In that year
and in the same month, during an expedition against the land
of Arime, .... [an image in (his)] likeness
( Remainder of column gone)
392. {Col. IV) The gods Urta and Nergal, who love his
priesthood, granted him (the skill) to hunt in the field 1 and
he embarked in ships of the Arvadites and slew a dolphin
0 nahiru ) in the Great Sea. [ ] 2 mighty wild bulls near
the city of Araziki, which lies opposite the land of Hatte,
and at the foot of Mount Lebanon, he slew. [ ] 2 young of
wild oxen he captured alive, and herds of them he collected.
[ ] a elephants he brought down with his bow, and ele-
phants he captured alive, and brought them to his city of
Assur. 120 lions with his brave heart and with his courageous
attack, he slew from his hunting(?) chariot, or on foot with
1 Cf. the account of Tiglath-pileser hunting exploits around the city of Araziki
(§ 247)-
2 Spaces left blank.
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122 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
the javelin, [ ] J lions he brought down with the jave-
lin(?). To hunt for them (the gods) in the high mountains,
they (the gods) commanded him, and in the days of cold,
and frost, and snow, (or) in the days of the ascendency
of Sirius, which glowed like copper, in the mountains of
Ebih, Urshe, Azameri, Ankuma, Pizitta, Parsagish(?) and
Kashiari, mountains of the land of Assyria, (in) Mount Hana
on the border of the land of the Lulume, and in the mountains
of Nairi, [ j 1 ibexes and mountain goats, [ ]'
hinds and stags, he captured in nets, and large herds of them
he collected, he caused them to bring forth (young). Like
flocks of sheep he regarded (lit., counted) them. [ l 1
panthers, [ ]' midini, [ j 1 asi, and two (or, 120)
wild boars of the cane-brakes, [ ]* M A L-S II I R-birds he
slew. [ Y wild asses and gazelles, [ ]' jackals, [ ]'
simkurri he brought down. A burhish, (Bactrian) camels,
tesheni, — merchants he sent out, brought (them) ; he collected
(Bactrian) camels, and he caused them to bring forth
(young). Herds of them he caused the people of his land to
behold. A great pagutu, a crocodile, a river ox(?) (buffalo),
creatures of the Great Sea, which the king of the land of
Musre (probably , Egypt) sent, he caused the people of his
land to behold. As for the remainder of the many wild
beasts, and fowl of heaven that fly, — (his) dominion (?) over
the field, the deeds of his hands, — their names were not re-
corded with (those of) r these(?) 1 beasts, their numbers were
not recorded with these numbers.
393. This does not include (other) lands which his hands
conquered, the many mountain regions of the enemy in pur-
suit of (lit., after) whom he marched, — where the terrain was
favorable, in his chariot, where it was difficult, on foot, — and
whose defeat he brought about. These r deeds of his hands 1
1 Spaces left blank.
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ADAD-NIRARI II 123
were not recorded. The countries . . . from the city of Baby-
lon of the land of 'Akkad 1 to .... of the land of 'Amurru 1
[he conquered].
( Lower part of column wanting .)
394. {Col. V ) The bit-abusdte of my royal palace, which
is located(?) at the f head(?) 1 of the hamiluhhi and the terrace,
(and) which had fallen into ruins, I rebuilt from its founda-
tion to its top. The bit-shahuri 1 of Eriba-Adad, and the great
terrace which faces the north, which Assur-nadin-ah6, king
of Assyria, had built, and which had fallen into decay, I re-
built. The moat of my city Assur, which had become ruined,
and was full of earth, I dug out, from the Gate of the Metal-
Workers unto the Gate of the Tigris. The dilapidated door-
leaves of the Gate of the Metal-Workers I removed and built
(in their stead) lofty door-leaves of fir, and I bound them
with a sheathing (bands) of copper. The great wall of my city
Assur, the whole circuit thereof, I built anew, and raised on
high a mound of earth around it. A palace of cedar-wood, a
palace of boxwood, a palace of pistachio-wood, a palace of
tamarisk-wood, in my city Assur I built. Two dolphins
( nahiru ), four burhish, and four lions of A T-BAR-stone, and
two bull-colossi of alabaster, and two burhish of white lime-
stone I fashioned, and in the gates thereof I set them up.
395. The canal, which Assur-dan, king of Assyria, had
dug, — the head of that canal had fallen to ruins, and for
thirty years no water had flowed therein. I cut the head of
that canal in a new place (lit., changed and dug), I let the
waters flow into it, and I planted orchards (by its side). The
great quay wall by the ramparts of the Gate of the Tigris,
which Adad-nirari, king of Assyria, had built, had fallen into
decay and was in ruins. From the level of its nether waters,
with bitumen and burnt brick, for five . . . -measures, I
built it up. The great terrace of the new palace which faces
* Cf. Index to VoL IL
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i2 4 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
the courts, which Tukulti-Urta, king of Assyria, had built,
had fallen into decay along (its) side for sixty-three chains(?).
and was in ruins. From its foundation unto its top I rebuilt
it. A palace in the city of . . . . , at the head of the huli of
the city of Assur, I built. A new palace in — aka I built.
.... The palace of the city of Abki which Assur-resh-ishi,
kin g of Assyria, had built but had not finished I com-
pleted. The wall of
( Remainder of column gone.)
IV. REBUILDING OF THE PALACE
396. The building of the palace was commemorated by an in-
scription on a “cylindrical stone object,” now in the British Museum
(text in AKA, p. 154).
The palace of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, king of
Assyria, son of Assur-dan, king of the universe, king of As-
syria, (grand) son of Tiglath-pileser, king of the universe,
king of Assyria.
V. FRAGMENTS OF TEXTS
397. To the annals of some king of this period, possibly to those of
Adad-nirari II, belong the fragmentary texts published in KAH, II,
Nos. 87 and 88.
398. 1. (No. 87) which from the reign of
the image with the name of Tiglath-'pileser] 1
against the Nairi-lands I marched. The city of Bar-
zani their property, their goods, their oxen,
their sheep (to tells and) ruins I turned. The
head(s) of their fighters (I smashed), of the Nairi-
lands; horses, asses, [Barzani 1 I burned with
fire, I devastated, I destroyed, to mounds and ruins [I toned
it].
of(?) Tils6 revolted they
went up; against Kahat they went up
* Cf. §§ 268 2.
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ADAD-NIRARI II 125
from Nineveh I departed; the river .... [I crossed]
their .... their property, their cattle, their sheep [I car-
ried off] after him they hurried, '(many of
them) they slew 1 they re-
turned
399. 2. (No. 88) many of them I(?)
slew . the rest of them
I brought under my sway.
of the lands and mountains (?) I received:
Irbibu trusted [in his strong city] and revolted from me. At
the command of the god [to level its walls]
I dug a ditch; six cities which is (are?)
below it, for plundering (?) Hani,
their stronghold I slew. Their spoil I carried
off 12 I flayed, their skins the
throats of 1 (?)hundred and 53 I cut on stakes I
impaled them
the cities of Barzania, Dikun
I devastated, I destroyed
which the held
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CHAPTER X
TUKULTI-URTA II
I. THE ANNALS
400. The annals of Tukulti-Urta II (890-884 b.c.), inscribed on a
large tablet which was purchased at Mosul for the Louvre, but which
undoubtedly was found at Assur, were published by Scheil in Annales
de Tukulti-Ninip II.
401. The first five campaigns of the king are given in brief form.
In the minutest detail are given the events of the sixth campaign in
which the king makes the circuit — down the Tigris, across to the Eu-
phrates by way of Dfir-Kurigalzu and Sippar, then up the Euphrates,
via Hit and Anah, to the Habur; up the Habur Valley to Nisjbis, from
which a raid is made against the Mushki, and then back to Assur.
The first five campaigns
402 of the Nairi-lands I crossed
I On my return (march) from the
Nairi-lands, the city of his sons, his daughters, his
wife, the wealth of his palace, his horses, for {or, to)
403. Through the aid of Assur, my lord, terror overcame
all of those lands: Bi — , son of Amme~ r ba’li] sent
(word) to me and my soldiers I sent to
From the city of Udi to the city of Sha — I proceed-
ed, and his son his goods, his property, the spoil of
his palace, in large quantity, his gods 'from his city,
to 1 Nineveh to me they brought.
404. (While) my enormous (surpassing) host remained in
Nineveh, into the heart of the pass
I sent, as far as the mountain, the difficult region,
his silver, gold, his goods,
405. At that time ..... sent to me. Against the power-
ful (haughty) Nairi-lands to cross(?) their moun-
126
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TUKULTI-URTA II 137
tains, Ms heart planned, In the month Si~
mdnu, the first day, of the eponymy of Du-milku, I departed
from Nineveh, against the land of [along] the
Subnat River, I went. Mount KasMari I crossed and to the
city of Pan — [of Ammi-ba’li], son of Zam&ni,
I drew near. Against I threw up two
cities of its neighborhood I destroyed, r the grain and straw of
his land 1 the people of his land I carried into cap-
tivity, I defeated Mm I struck down with the
sword great numbers. I had mercy(?) .... [Ammi-ba’li], to
save his life, seized my feet, and I pardoned Mm ..... my
officers therein copper, lead, iron, .... wood
horses, mules, before my officials [they brought]
for my own I took. Ammi-ba’li, son of Zamani, I
pardoned, the cities (that were left) standing, I had him
occupy, in peaceful habitations I caused them to dwell. The
oath of Assur, my lord, upon I made him
swear: “You, if you furnish horses to my bodyguards, Adad,
the merciful god ” At that time, Tukulti-Urta
in the temple wall of the great
court of Enlil ( NUN-NAM-NIR ), in the gate Mashupi, I
placed (set up). Silver of the Nairi-lands belonging
to Amme-ba’li, son of Zamani, wMch my arms had captured,
and wMch I took, two parts to the god one
part I placed in my palace. At that time, [I offered] 60 GAL-
birds, birds of sacrifice, to Assur, my lord.
406. In the month of Tashritu, the sixteenth day, I de-
parted from Assur; into the passes of the lands of Kirure I
entered. From the passes I departed, into the
midst of Urrupnu, and Ishrun, mighty mountains, into which
none of the kings my fathers had made [his way], — nor did
any Assyrian road Head up to it(P) 1 — I entered. Over diffi-
cult ground I marched, I plunged into the most wearisome
paths, into which none among the kings, my fathers, had
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128 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
ventured, (and here) I made my triumphant way. To the
cities of the land of Ladani, which (the people) of ... . and
Lullu held, I drew near. Thirty of their cities, lying between
the mountains, I captured. Their second(P') .... I carried
off; their cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
The rest of them escaped and occupied a steep mountain.
Two days [I marched] among the mountains of Ishrun with-
out my chariot and my horse (men) [who go] r at my side 1 ; on
foot I climbed up after them into Mount Ishrun, a region of
destruction, into which the eagle flying across the heaven,
does not enter. From the top of Mount Ishrun to the Lower
Zab I [pursued] them; I captured countless numbers of them.
The rest of them [crossed] the Lower Zab, to save their lives.
The sixth campaign
407. In the month of Nisdnu, the twenty-sixth day, in
the eponymy of Na’di-ilu, I departed from Assur, in the
desert(?) I spent the night. From I departed, the
Tartara I crossed, I spent the night. Like
they dug for water. 470 wells I dug. On foot against ....
r I advanced, I slew them 1 . The second day against
not filling my belly with the bitter water. From the river I de-
parted, I kept in the desert. By the Tartara I spent the night.
Four days I went along the bank of the Tartara. In my (lit.,
his) march along the Tartara, I slew 9 wild oxen (aurochs).
At the mouths of the Tartara I spent the night. They dug for
water. From the mouths of the Tartara I departed, through
the hamate, a wearisome region, I advanced. In the region of
Margani(?) I found streams, on both sides of them they dug
wells, (finding) much water; I spent the night. They dug for
water all day and all night.
408. To the Tigris I drew near. The settlements of the
land of Utu’ate, their sepulcher cities, 1 which are situated on
the Tigris, I captured. I slew their people. Great quantities
* Troglodyte settlements are evidently thus described.
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TUKULTI-URTA II 129
of their booty I carried off. In the city of Asusi I spent the
night. From Asusi I departed. For three days I marched in
the midst of the forest, without getting ahead (?) or knowing
the way. I drew near to Dhr-Kurigalzu, I spent the night.
From Dur-Kurigalzu I departed. The Patti-Bel (canal) I
crossed. I spent the night. From the Patti-Bel I departed.
In Sippar of Shamash I spent the night. From Sippar of
Shamash I departed. I took (the road) upstream of the
Euphrates. In the city of Salate I spent the night. From
Salate I departed, in front of Dur-balati I spent the night.
Dur-balati lies on the other bank of the Euphrates. From
Dur-balati I departed. In the city of Rahimme, which is
opposite Rapiku, I spent the night. Rapiku lies on the other
side of the Euphrates. From Rahimme I departed. In the
plain (field) of Kabsite, which is on the Euphrates, I spent the
night. From Kabsite I departed. In Daiasheti I spent the
night. From Daiasheti I departed.
409. In front of Hit, by the springs of bitumen, the place
of ushmeta - stones through (lit., in) which the gods speak, I
spent the night. Hit lies on the other bank of the Eu-
phrates. From Hit I departed. In Harbe I spent the night.
Harbe is on the other side of the Euphrates. From Harbe I
departed. To the meadows (bottoms) along the Euphrates I
marched. All night and day they dug for water. The desert
(road) of the plateau (lit., mountain), where there is no vege-
tation in the fields, I took. On the plateau — desert ground — 1
I spent the night. From the desert ground I departed. In the
meadow of the city of Hudubili which is on the Euphrates, I
spent the night. From Hudubili I departed. Between the
cities of Zadidani and Sabirite I spent the night. The city
of Sabirite lies in the midst of the Euphrates. From Zadidani
I departed; in front of the cities of Suri and Talbish I spent
the night. Talmesh 2 lies in the midst of the Euphrates.
1 Lit., ground of thirst 3 So written.
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130 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
From Sflri I departed. To Anat of the land of Suhi I drew
near. Anat lies in the midst of the Euphrates.
410. In front of Anat I spent the night. The gifts of Ilu-
ibni, governor of Suhi, — 3 talents of silver, 20 minas of gold,
an ivory chair, 3 pidnu ( ?) of ivory, 18 “bricks” of lead, 40
kablate of mulberry-wood, a couch of mulberry-wood, 6
tables of mulberry-wood, a copper pitcher, linen garments,
brightly colored (woolen) garments, dark-blue wool, cattle,
sheep, food and drink, I received from him. From Anat I
departed. In Mashkite I spent the night. From Mashkite I
departed. In Harada I spent the night. Harada lies on the
other side of the Euphrates. From Harada I departed. In
Kailite I spent the night. From Kailite I departed. To
Hindanu I drew near. 10 minas of liktu- gold, 10 minas of
silver, 2 talents of lead, 1 talent of myrrh, 60 copper BAD,
10 minas of zadidu ,' 8 minas of shimzida- stone, 30 camels, 50
cattle, 30 asses, 14 large birds, 200 lambs, food and drink,
straw and fodder, I received as the gift of Amme-alaba(?) of
Hindanu. I spent the night. Hindanu lies on the other side
of the Euphrates. While roaming (about in) the desert I
killed IB-(?) UR-birds. The young IB(?)-UR-birds I caught
with my hands. While roaming (along) the banks of the
Euphrates I killed deer. The young of the deer I caught with
my hands. From Hindanu I departed.
41 1. (Rev.) Through the mountains upstream of the
Euphrates [I cut a way] with axes and iron [pickaxes]. In the
city of Nagiate I spent the night. From Nagiate I departed.
To the meadows of the city of Akarbani I drew near. 200
lambs, 30 cattle, grain, straw, food and wine, as gifts from
Iddin-Dada, the Lakean, I received. I spent the night. From
Akarbani I departed. Against the city of Supri I marched.
200 lambs, 50 cattle, food and wine, grain and straw, I re-
ceived as the tribute of the Lakean Hamataia (a land )
* A plant
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TUKULTI-URTA II 131
I departed. In the city of Axbate I spent the
night. 200 lambs, 30 cattle, food and wine, grain and straw,
I received as tribute from Harani the Lakean. [From] Arbate
I departed. In the kasi - plain I spent the night. From the
Jfeasi-plain I departed, to the city of Sirku I drew near. 3
minas of gold, 7 minas of refined silver, 40 copper pans, 1
talent of myrrh, X-hundred lambs, 140 cattle, 20 asses, 20
birds [grain], straw, and fodder, I received as the
tribute of Iddin-Dada of Sirku. While I was staying [in]
Sirku, I received as tribute from Harani, the Lak&an, 3 minas
of gold, 10 minas of silver, 30 copper pans, 6 talents of lead,
700 lambs, 100+ . . cattle, 20 asses. In Sirku I spent the
night. Sirku lies on the other side of the Euphrates.
412. From Sirku I departed, in the meadows of the Eu-
phrates, above (?) the city of Rummunidu, where the r Ha-
bur(P) 1 River flows (lit., lies), I spent the night. From
Rummunidu I departed. To [Sfiru of the son of Halupe],
which is on the Habur, I drew near. 20 minas of gold, 20
minas of silver, 32 talents of lead, 130 talents of copper ....
copper, one taphu, 150 inlaid shumi, x talent of purple
wool, talent 5 minas of zadidu plants, 1
talent of iron, choice oil, 1,200 lambs, 100 [cattle]
large birds, 2 of his sisters with their large dowries, (was) the
tribute of the Lakean Hamataia. From Sfiru of the son of
Halupe, [I departed. To the city of Usala] I drew near. 200
lambs, 30 cattle, food and wine, grain and straw, [as tribute
of ] I received. I spent the night. From Usala I de-
parted. To [Dfir-Katlimmu of the land of Lake, I drew near.
The tribute] of Lake in its whole extent, — cattle, lambs, re-
fined silver, [I received]. The tribute of Dfir-Katlimmu
(consisted of) 10 minas of silver, 14 minas of tal-
ents zodidtt-plants, 1 talent of myrrh, 100 iron dag-
gers, xo vases brightly colored (woolen) garments.
From Dfir-Katlimmu I departed, in [I spent the
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132 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
night. From ] I departed. To the city Katni I
drew near. The tribute of the Katnians, — n
talents of lead 1 , 50 copper vessels ( udae ) .... 100 large
birds, barnyard fowl(?), food and wine, grain and straw,
[From Katni] I departed. In the city of Latihi of
the land of Dikanu, I spent [the night. From Latihi I de-
parted], to Sha-Dikannu I drew near. 3 minas cop-
per, one taphu of silver (was the tribute). From Sha-Dikannu
I departed. In Tabete I spent the night]. From Tabete I
departed. In fMagarisi 1 [I spent the night. From] r Ma-
garisi 1 I departed. In Guriete I spent the night. From
[Guriete I departed. In Tabite] I spent the night. From Ta-
bite I departed I departed.
413. In Nasibina I spent the night. From [Nasibina I
departed. In] Huzirina I spent the night. From Huzirina
[I departed. In , the city] which Tukulti’-Urta
had rebuilt, I spent [the night] mountain, a
difficult terrain, (over) steep trails of the land of
Mushki, I marched. In 4 days [I reached] the city of Piru,
their (spoil), their goods, their cattle, (their) sheep
I captured. Countless numbers of them [I
slew] ...... their cities I burned with fire. The crops of
their fields (orchards) their cities I caused them to
occupy. Tribute [greater than that of earlier times, upon
them] I imposed. In my second campaign
The hunting arid building activities of the king
414. The glory of my might, which Assur, my lord, my
sun, high mountains, from the land of the Shubari
to the lands of Gilzanu and Nairi which I had
raised on high(?). Total 2,720 horses [The tem-
ples?] of my land, I made greater than before, I made firm.
413. Palaces I constructed throughout my land, plows I
the grain piles for the [sustenance] of my land, I
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TUKULTI-URTA II 133
increased over those of former days and heaped them up. To
Assyria I added land, to its peoples, peoples.
416. Urta {MASH) and Nergal ( IGI-DU ), who love my
priesthood, gave to me the beasts of the plain, they com-
manded me to follow the chase. [X] mighty [lions(?)] in my
hunting(?)-chariot, with my brave heart, (and) by my cour-
ageous onset, I slew with the javelin(?).
417. When the wall of the great terrace, which [belonged
to the time before 1 my reign, and which aforetime the earlier
kings, who lived before me, had built, became weak, r Assur-
uballit, 1 viceroy of Assur, rebuilt it. Again it became weak
and Tukulti-Urta, viceroy of Assur, son of Adad-nirari,
viceroy of Assur, cleared its site, went down to its founda-
tion, and laid its foundation walls upon mighty blocks of
mountain stone. 300 [tipku, layers of brick(?)], with 20 bricks
for the width, from the kidi {perhaps, the outside), over
its former (height) I added to it, I made it thick. From r its
foundation] to its top I constructed, I completed it. I made
it more beautiful than it was before, I made it (more) magnifi-
cent. f My memorial stele 1 I set up. The memorial steles of
the former kings, my fathers, I anointed with oil, offered
sacrifices, and restored them to their places. When that wall
becomes old and falls to decay, let (some) future prince re-
store its ruins, let him not tear the memorial steles from their
places, (but) let him anoint them with oil, let him offer sacri-
fices, let him restore them to their places. (Then) Assur and
Adad will hear his prayers. But whosoever destroys (my)
name and inscription, and tears the memorial steles from
their places, may Assur and Adad destroy his name and his
seed in the land.
Month of Arahsatnna, the ninth day, of the eponymy of
Na’di-ilu, governor of Kutmuhi.
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134 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
n. BUILDING INSCRIPTIONS
418. 1. The following broken inscription from Assur had the same
building text at the close as that of the annals (text, KAH , II, No. 90) :
lord of lands, the great lord Adad, the
mighty, the pre-eminent, lord of [Urta] .... of the
gods, valiant (leader) of the Igigi and Anunnaki
the exalted god, Ninlil, spouse of Enlil (Bel)
419. [The great gods who decree destiny], whose onset is
battle and combat; who r have made great my kingship
. . . . who have changed my lowly (?) birth 1 to a lordly birth;
who have made ; who have [brought to perfection 1
the state of my members who have .... Tukulti-
Urta, the mighty king exalted . . . . , whose name(?)
Shamash, a shining scepter .... his , over
(all) princes has been(?) named they have granted;
an honored name am I.
420. Son of Assur-dSn, viceroy of the great gods,
(grand)son of Assur-resh-ishi, the king who subdued
421. [In these days, when at the command of the great
gods, my lordly 1 sovereignty has manifested itself, I am royal
I am reverent, and I am pre-eminent, I am valiant
I am almighty, I am resplendent I am
noble, I am awe-inspiring I am and I am
ruler of Sin, beloved of
(Rest of Obv. broken away)
422. (Rev) ... of the peoples
the Nairi-lands by my powerful attack
423. [When the wall of the great terrace, etc. 1 ....]...
from of old, the kings again it fell
to ruins I cleared away, I reached its founda-
tions, outside(?) more than before I
completed. More than before [I beautified, etc.].
* Cf. Annals, § 417.
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TUKULTI-URTA II 135
{The few words that are left were part of a text practically
identical with the closing paragraph of the Annals .)
424. Fragmentary texts recording the rebuilding of the city wall
(KAH, II, No. 89) and the repairs to some temple (ibid., No. 91) fol-
low. The Introduction to these, which was similar to that of the pre-
ceding text, is patterned after the opening lines of the Annals of Adad-
nirari II (§ 356).
42s. 2. (No. 89) queen of the gods
the Igigi and Annunaki father of the gods
of the Apsu, who decrees destiny . . . [Urta], who casts down
the wicked, lord of . . [Adad, mighty,] pre-eminent, lord
of abundance [Shamash,] judge of heaven and
earth master of the gods mighty one of
the Igigi and Anunnaki TSTergal 1 , the perfect, ....
Nusku, who bears a shining scepter Belit-blti
( NIN-LIL ?), spouse of Bel Ishtar, first of heaven
and earth, who [fills full the measure of bravery]
The great gods who decree destinies whose onset
is battle and combat Tukulti-Urta
beloved of who(se)
{Rest of Obv. broken away.)
426. {Rev.) When the wall of the city which
a prince who went before me had built, [fell to decay],
its place I cleared, its foundation I reached
[from its foundation] to its top I (re)built, I completed it.
I made it beautiful, I made it splendid. My memorial stele
I set up therein. Let (some) future prince, [when that wall
shall fall to ruins, restore it] Let him look upon
my stele and read it, let him pour out libations,
to its place let him restore it. [Then Ishtar of] Nineveh [will
hear] his prayers. . . . , where my stele(?)
Eponymy of Assur-la-kinu.
427. 3. (No. 91) Nergal 'Urta 1 , valiant
(leader) of the Igigi and Anunnaki, the perfect
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136 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Nusku, who bears a shining scepter
Ninlil, spouse of Enlil (Bel), mother of the gods
Ishtar first of heaven and earth, who fills full the measure of
bravery.
The great [gods,] who carry out decrees, [who decide fate,]
gloriously (?), Tukulti-Urta, the exalted prince, [they have
created] (in) the womb of my mother my
[lowly (?)] birth to a lordly birth [they changed ]
people (bright) people(?)
428. (Rev.) in the temple
before me in the temple
(Only a few signs are left on the Rev.)
429. From the palace came the following brick inscriptions ( KAH ,
II, Nos. 86 and 85) :
430. 4. Palace of Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe,
king of Assyria, son of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, king
of Assyria, (grand)son of Assur-dan, king of the universe,
king of Assyria.
431. 5. Palace of Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe,
king of Assyria, son of Adad-nirari, king of Assyria. (From)
the ruins of the Mt-nameru which Sharru-bel-pi restored.
432. Another fragmentary text is published in KAH, II, No. 92.
6 returned to the place
conquest, Tukulti-Urta in the midst
of copper and iron(?) in which the
(my?) name was not written (?) either
for his well-being, or the stationing of his troops
shall make, my name in it [let him write]
conquest of my land, wherein my name
I (he) brings up, or to .... . his palace or to ... .
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TUKULUI-URTA II 137
.to his treasury of Baby-
lonia he brought under his sway
.... my royalty(?) without my name
HI. MISCELLANEOUS INSCRIPTIONS
433. On a small agate amulet in the Louvre is found the following
inscription (published by Scheil, op. cit. [§ 400], p. 3) :
Amulet (“neck-stone”) of Tukulti-Urta, king of Assyria,
son of Adad-nirari, king of Assyria.
IV. TEXT OF TUKULTI-MER
434. If Tukulti-Mer is another writing of Tukulti-Urta, then the
following may belong to some building text of Tukulti-Urta II ( KAH ,
II, No. 77):
city together with their fortresses
people and all of (their) great cities . . .
none escaped. The people, who had sinned (?)
against their cities they overthrew, for
I constructed. The fighters, warriors I de-
stroyed. Vengeance for(?) my land, which
Against Kirhi I marched, the cities of Hasa- ,
the cities of Kirhi I captured
435. Tukulti-Mer, 1 king of Assyria, at the com-
mand of Assur
1 The British Museum (see Guide, p. 238) has a “green-stone object with eight
sides, which was dedicated as a votive offering in the temple of the Sun-god in the
city of Sippar,” by Tukulti-Mer, king of Hana.
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CHAPTER XI
ASSUR-NASIR-PAL
I. FINAL EDITION OF THE ANNALS
436. On the pavement slabs of the entrance to the temple of Urta
at Calah (Nimrfid) was inscribed the text of what was probably the
final edition of Assur-n&sir-pal’s annals. The great campaigns of the
first six years are dated by limmus. Then follow what must have been
minor raids until the eighteenth year, the eponymy of Shamash-nuri,
is reached, when the events of another serious campaign, probably the
last, are recorded.
The text was published in IR, Plates 17-26; again in AKA, pp.
254 f.; and in Le Gac, Les Inscriptions d’A Hur-nasir-aplu III, pp. 3 f.
Invocation of Urta, followed by tides and panegyric of the king
{Col. I, ll. 1-43)
437. Unto Urta, the powerful, the almighty, the exalted,
the chief of the gods, the valiant, the gigantic, the perfect,
whose onslaught in battle cannot be equaled, the first(born)
son, the destroyer of opposition, the first-bom of Nudimmud,
the hero of the Igigi, the powerful, the prince of the gods,
the offspring of E-kur, who holds the bolt of heaven and earth,
who opens the depths, who treads the broad earth, the god
without whom the decisions of heaven and earth are not de-
cided, the destroyer, the mighty one, the command of whose
mouth is not void, pre-eminent in the (four) quarters (of the
world), who gives scepter and law unto all cities, the im-
petuous ruler, the word of whose lips is not altered, (of)
boundless strength, the master of the gods, the exalted,
Utgallu, 1 the lord of lords, whose hand controls the ends of
•heaven and earth, the king of battle, the strong one who con-
quers opposition, the triumphant, the perfect, the lord of the
'The Storm(-god).
138
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 139
nether waters and of the oceans, the terrible, the merciless one
whose onslaught is a storm (deluge), who overwhelms the
land of enemies, who strikes down the wicked, the powerful
god whose counsel is not void, the light of heaven and earth,
who gives light unto the midst of the deep, who destroys the
wicked, who brings to subjection the disobedient, who over-
throws foes, whose name in the assembly of the gods no god
can humble, the giver of life, the god Ab-u, to whom it is
good to pray (?), who dwells in the city of Calah, the great
lord, my lord, (I) Assur-n&sir-pal (do pray) ; the mighty king,
kin g of the universe, the king without a rival, the king of the
whole of the four quarters (of the world), the Sun of all peo-
ples, favorite of Enlil (Bel) and Urta, the beloved of Anu and
Dagan, the worshiper of the great gods, the submissive one
who is dear unto thy heart, the prince, the favorite of Enlil
(Bel), whose priesthood is pleasing unto thy great godhead
so that thou hast established his reign, the valiant hero who
goes hither and yon trusting in Assur, his lord, and who is
without a rival among the princes of the four quarters (of the
world), the wonderful shepherd, who fears not opposition, the
mighty flood who has no conqueror, the king who has brought
into subjection those that were not submissive to him, who
has brought under his sway the totality of all peoples, the
mighty hero who treads on the neck of his foe, who tramples
all enemies under foot, who shatters the might of the haughty,
who goes about trusting in the great gods, his lords, whose
hand has conquered all the countries, who has brought under
his sway all the mountain (regions) and has received their
tribute, who has taken hostages, and who has established
might over all lands.
438. When Assur, the lord, who called me by my name
and has made great my kingdom, intrusted his merciless
weapon unto my lordly hand, (I) Assur-nasir-pal, the exalted
prince, who fears the great gods, the powerful despot, con-
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140 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
queror of cities and mountains to their farthest borders, the
king of rulers, who consumes the wicked, who is crowned with
glory, who fears not opposition, the strong, the exalted, the
unsparing, who destroys opposition, the king of all princes,
the lord of lords, the shepherd(?), the king of kings, the ex-
alted priest, the chosen of the hero Urta, the worshiper of
the great gods, the avenger (of his fathers), the king who
trusting in Assur and Shamash, the gods, his helpers, walks
righteously and has cut down haughty mountain (eers) and
princes who were his enemies, like reeds of the marsh, bring-
ing all lands into subjection under his feet, who provides the
offerings for the great gods, the rightful prince who has been
permanently intrusted (with the task) of maintaining the
cults(?) of the temples of his land, the work of whose hands
and the offering of whose sacrifices the great gods of heaven
and earth love, and whose priesthood in the temples they
have established for all time, — their weapons they presented
as my (v., his) royal gift, — the radiance of whose arms and the
awe-inspiring splendor of whose rule have made him supreme
over the kings of the four quarters (of the world), who has
battled with all the enemies of Assur north and south and has
laid tribute and tax upon them, conqueror of the foes of
Assur; son of Tukulti-Urta, priest of Assur, who overcame
all his enemies and fixed the bodies of his foes upon stakes;
grandson of Adad-Nirari, the priest, the viceroy of the great
gods, who brought about the overthrow of those that did not
obey him and established his sway over all; the descendant of
Assur-dan, who freed(?) cities and founded temples. And
now at the command of the great gods my sovereignty, my
dominion, and my power are manifesting themselves; I am
regal, I am lordly, I am exalted, I am mighty, I am honored,
I am glorified, I am pre-eminent, I am powerful, I am valiant,
I am lion-brave, and I am heroic! (I), Assur-nasir-pal, the
mi g hty king, the king of Assyria, chosen of Sin, favorite of
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 141
Anu, beloved of Adad, mighty one among the gods, I am the
merciless weapon that strikes down the land of his enemies;
I am a king, mighty in battle, destroying cities and high-
lands, first in war, king of the four quarters (of the world),
who has conquered his foes, destroyed all his enemies, king of
all the regions (of earth), of all princes, every one of them,
the king who has trampled down all who were not submissive
to him, and who has brought under his sway the totality of all
peoples. These decrees of destiny came forth at the word of
the great gods, and for my destiny they duly ordained them.
In (every) desire of my heart and undertaking of my hand,
Ishtar, the lady, who loves my priesthood, was gracious unto
me and her heart prompted to the waging of war and battle.
439. At that time Assur-nasir-pal, the exalted prince, who
fears the great gods, the desire of whose heart Enlil (Bel) has
caused him to attain, and whose mighty hand has conquered
all princes who were disobedient unto him, conqueror of his
foes, who shattered the power of the mighty in difficult re-
gions, — when Assur, my great lord, who called me by name
and made great my kingship over the kings of the four quar-
ters (of the world), had made my name exceeding great, and
had intrusted his merciless weapon unto my lordly power,
and in his wrath had commanded me to conquer, to subdue
and to rule; trusting in Assur, my lord, I marched by difficult
roads over steep mountains with the hosts of my army, and
there was none who opposed me.
Year 1. The Assyrian army invades the hills to the east of the
Tigris, then swings around to the north and west (Col. I
U- 43-99 )
440. In the beginning of my kingship, in the first year of
my reign, when Shamash the judge of the (four) regions (of
the world) had spread his kindly shadow over me, and I had
seated myself upon the royal throne in might, and (when) he
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142 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
had placed in my hand the scepter, which rules the peoples, I
mobilized my chariots and armies, crossed over steep moun-
tains by difficult roads which had not been prepared for the
passage of chariots and troops, and marched to the land of
Tumme. Libe, their fortified city, and the cities of Surra,
Abuku, Arura, and Arube, which lie among the mountains of
Urini, Aruni and Etini, fortified cities, I captured. I slew
great numbers of them; their spoil, their possessions and their
cattle I carried off. The men escaped, and occupied a steep
mountain; the mountain was exceeding steep and I did not
go after them. The peak of the mountain rose {lit., lay) like
the point of an iron dagger, and no bird of heaven that flies
comes to it. Like the nest of the eagle (vulture) their strong-
hold was situated within the mountain, whereinto none of the
kings, my fathers, had penetrated. For {lit., in) three days
the warrior searched out the mountain, his stout heart urging
to battle; he climbed up on foot, he cast down the mountain,
he destroyed their nest, he shattered their host. Two hun-
dred of their fighting men I cut down with the sword; their
heavy booty I carried off like a flock of sheep; with their
blood I dyed the mountain red like wool; with the rest of
them I darkened(?) the gullies and precipices of the moun-
tain; their cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
From the land of Tumme I departed, to the land of Kirruri I
went down. Tribute from the lands of Kirruri, Simesi, Si-
mera, Ulmania, Adaush, (from) the Hargeans and Harmaseans,
— horses, mules, cattle, sheep, wine, vessels of copper, I re-
ceived as their tribute and I imposed the carrying of the
headpad(?) upon them.
441. While I was staying in the land of Kirruri, the awe-
inspiring splendor of Assur, my lord, overwhelmed the men of
the lands of Gilzani and Hubushkia; horses, silver, gold, lead,
copper and vessels of copper they brought to me as their
tribute. From the land of Kirruri I departed, and I entered
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 143
by the pass of Hulun into the land of Kirhi, which lies inside.
The cities of Hatu, Hataru, Nishtun, Irbidi, Mitkia, Arsania,
Tela, and Halua, cities of the land of Kirhi which lie among
the mighty mountains of Usu, Arua, and Arardi, I captured.
Great numbers of them I slew, their spoil and their posses-
sions I carried away. The men escaped and occupied a lofty
mountain peak which was over against the city of Nishtun
and which was suspended like a cloud from heaven. Against
these men, unto whom none among the kings my fathers had
come near, my warriors flew like birds. 260 of their fighting
men I cut down with the sword, I cut off their heads, and
I formed them into pillars. The rest of them built a nest on
the rocks of the mountain like a bird. Their spoil and their
possessions I brought down from the mountain, and the cities
which were in the midst of the mighty ranges, I destroyed, I
devastated, I burned with fire. All the men who had fled
from before my arms came down and embraced my feet.
Tribute and tax, and the carrying of the headpad(?) I
imposed upon them. Bubu, son of Buba, the governor of the
city of Nishtun, I flayed in the city of Arbela and I spread his
skin upon the city wall. At that time I fashioned an image
of my own likeness, the glory of my power I inscribed there-
on, and in the mountain of Eki, in the city of Assur-nasir-pal,
at the (river) source, I set it up.
442. In this (same) eponymy, on the twenty-fourth day
of the month Abu, at the word of Assur and Ishtar, the great
gods, my lords, I departed from Nineveh, against the cities
which lie at the foot of the mighty mountains of Nipur and
Pasate I marched. I captured the cities of Arkun, Ushhu and
Pilazi and twenty cities of their neighborhood. Great num-
bers (of the inhabitants) I slew, their spoil and their pos-
sessions I carried off, their cities I burned with fire. All the
men who had fled from before my arms, came down and em-
braced my feet, and I imposed forced labor upon them.
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144 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
From the cities at the foot of the mountains of Nipur and
Pasate I departed, the Tigris I crossed, and I drew near to the
land of Kutmuhi, I received tribute from the lands of Kut-
muhi and Mushki, — vessels of copper, cattle, sheep, and wine.
443. While I was staying in the land of Kutmuhi, they
brought me the word: “The city of Sura of Bit-Halupe has
revolted, they have slain Hamatai, their governor, and Ahia-
baba, the son of a nobody, whom they brought from Bit-
Adini, they have set up as king over them.” With the help
of Adad and the great gods who have made great my king-
dom, I mobilized (my) chariots and armies and marched
along the bank of the Habur. During my advance I received
much tribute from Shulmanu-haman-ilani 1 of the city of
Gardiganni, from Ilu-Adad of the city of Katna, — silver,
gold, lead, vessels of copper, and garments of brightly colored
wool, and garments of linen. To the city of Sftru of Bit-
Halupe I drew near, and the terror of the splendor of Assur,
my lord, overwhelmed them. The chief men and the elders
of the city, to save their lives, came forth into my presence
and embraced my feet, saying: “If it is thy pleasure, slay!
If it is thy pleasure, let live! That which thy heart desireth,
do!” Ahiababa, the son of nobody, whom they had brought
from Bit-Adini, I took captive. In the valor of my heart and
with the fury of my weapons I stormed the city. All the rebels
they seized and delivered them up. My officers I caused to
enter into his palace and his temples. His silver, his gold, his
goods and his possessions, copper, iron, lead, vessels of copper }
cups of copper, dishes of copper, a great hoard of copper,
alabaster, tables with inlay, the women of his palaces, his
daughters, the captive rebels together with their possessions,
the gods together with their possessions, precious stone from
the mountains, his chariot with equipment, his horses, broken
1 For another possible reading of the name see Tallqvist, Assyrian Personal
Names, p. 223.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 145
to the yoke, trappings of men and trappings of horses, gar-
ments of brightly colored wool and garments of linen, goodly
oil, cedar, and fine sweet-scented herbs, panels (?) of cedar,
purple and crimson wool, his wagons, his cattle, his sheep, his
heavy spoil, which like the stars of heaven could not be
counted, I carried off. Azi-ilu I set over them as my own
governor. I built a pillar over against his city gate, and I
flayed all the chief men who had revolted, and I covered the
pillar with their skins; some I walled up within the pillar,
some I impaled upon the pillar on stakes, and others I bound
to stakes round about the pillar; many within the border of
my own land I flayed, and I spread their skins upon the walls;
and I cut off the limbs of the officers, of the royal officers who
had rebelled. Ahiababa I took to Nineveh, I flayed him, I
spread his skin upon the wall of Nineveh. My power and
might I established over the land of Lake. While I was stay-
ing in the city of Sfiru, (I received) tribute from all the kings
of the land of Lake, — silver, gold, lead, copper, vessels of
copper, cattle, sheep, garments of brightly colored wool, and
garments of linen, and I increased the tribute and taxes and
imposed them upon them. At that time, the tribute of Haiani
of the city of Hindani, — silver, gold, lead, copper, umu- stone,
alabaster, purple wool, and (Bactrian) camels I received from
him as tribute. At that time I fashioned a heroic image of my
royal self, my power and my glory I inscribed thereon, in the
midst of his palace I set it up. I fashioned memorial steles
and inscribed thereon my glory and my prowess, and I set
them up by his city gate.
Year 2. Against the rebels in Halzi-luha and the Kashiari hills
( northwest of Assyria ) (Col. I, l. 99 — Col. II, l. 23)
444. In the eponymy, the year (called by) my name, at
the word of Assur, my lord, and Urta, who loves my priest-
hood, although in the time of the kings, my fathers, no gov-
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146 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
ernor of the land of Suhi had come unto Assyria, Ilu-ibni, the
governor of Suhi, to save his life, together with his brothers
and his sons, brought silver and gold as his tribute to Nine-
veh into my presence. In the same eponymy, while I was
staying in Nineveh, they brought the word that the As-
syrians and Hulai, their governor, whom Shalmaneser, king
of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had settled in the city
of Halzi-luha, had revolted and had marched against Dam-
damusa, my royal city, to take it. At the word of Assur,
Ishtar, and Adad, the gods, my helpers, I mustered my
chariots and armies.
445. At the source of the river Subnat, where stand the
images of Tiglath-pileser and Tukulti-Urta, kings of Assyria,
my fathers, I fashioned an image of my royal person, and I
set it up beside them. At that time I received the tribute of
the land of Isala,— cattle, flocks, and wine. To the mountain
of Kashiari I crossed, to Kinabu, the fortified city of Hulai,
I drew near. With the masses of my troops and by my furi-
ous battle onset I stormed, I captured the city; 600 of their
warriors I put to the sword; 3,000 captives I burned with fire;
I did not leave a single one among them alive to serve as a
hostage. Hulai, their governor, I captured alive. Their
corpses I formed into pillars; their young men and maidens
I burned in the fire. Hulai, their governor, I flayed, his skin
I spread upon the wall of the city of Damdamusa; the city I
destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. The city of
Mariru, which was within their borders, I captured. Fifty
of their warriors I put to the sword ; 200 of their captives I
burned with fire. 332 men of the land of Nirbu I slew in a
battle on the plain; their spoil, their cattle, and their sheep I
carried off. The (men of the) land of Nirbu, which is at the
foot of Mount Uhira, had banded themselves together, and
had entered the city of Tela, their stronghold. From Kinabu
I departed, to the city of Tela I drew near. The city was ex-
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 147
ceeding strong and was surrounded by three walls. The men
trusted in their mighty walls and in their hosts, and did not
come down, and did not embrace my feet. With battle and
slaughter I stormed the city and captured it. 3,000 of their
warriors I put to the sword; their spoil and their possessions,
their cattle and their sheep I carried off. Many captives
from among them I burned with fire, and many I took as
living captives. From some I cut off their hands and their
fingers, and from others I cut off their noses, their ears, and
their fingers(?), of many I put out the eyes. I made one pillar
of the living, and another of heads, and I bound their heads
to posts (tree trunks) round about the city. Their young
men {Col. II) and maidens I burned in the fire, the city I
destroyed, I devastated, I burned it with fire and consumed
it. At that time the cities of the land of Nirbi and their
strong walls I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
446. From the land of Nirbu I departed, to the city of
Tushha I drew near. Tushha I restored. Its ancient wall I
destroyed, the site thereof I cleared, I dug down to its founda-
tion, and a new wall, from the foundation unto the coping
thereof, I built, I completed, I made it exceeding strong. A
palace for my royal dwelling I founded within its gates.
That palace I built and I completed from the foundation
unto the roof thereof. An image of my likeness I fashioned
out of white limestone, my glory, my exceeding great power
and my valorous deeds which I had performed in the lands
of Nairi, I inscribed thereon, and in the city of Tushha I set
it up; and I inscribed a memorial stele and set it in the wall
thereof. The poor Assyrians, who by reason of want and
hunger had gone up to other (lands and) mountains, into the
land of Shupre, I brought back and I settled them in the city
of Tushha. That city I took for my own possession, grain and
straw from the land of Nirbi I heaped up therein. The re-
mainder of the men of the land of Nirbi, who had fled from
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148 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
before my weapons, came down and embraced my feet. In
such of their cities and houses as were habitable I settled
them, taxes and tribute, — horses, mules, cattle, sheep, wine,
vessels of copper — I made heavier than (they were) before
and imposed them upon them, their sons I took as hostages.
447. While I was staying in the city of Tushha, I received
tribute from Amme-ba’la, the son of Zamani, from Anhite of
the land of Shupre, and from Lapturi, the son of Tubusi of the
land of Nirdun, and tribute from the land of Urume, which
lies inside, and from the kings of the lands of Nairi, — chari-
ots, horses, mules, silver, gold, and vessels of copper, cattle,
sheep, and wine I received as their tribute. The carrying of
the headpad(?) I imposed upon the lands of Nairi. On my
return (march), from among the lands of Nairi, the land of
Nirbu, which lies in the midst of Mount Kashiari, re-
volted. Their nine cities they abandoned, and in the city
of Ishpilibria, their stronghold, and in the steep mountain,
they put their trust. I stormed the mountain peaks and took
them. In the midst of the mighty mountain I slaughtered
them, with their blood I dyed the mountain red like wool.
With the rest of them I darkened the gullies and precipices
of the mountains. I carried off their spoil and their posses-
sions. The heads of their warriors I cut off, and I formed
them into a pillar over against their city, their young men
and their maddens I burned in the fire. The pass of Buliani
I entered and I took (the road) along the river Lukia. In
my advance I conquered the cities of the land of Kirhi which
lie in the pass. I slaughtered their inhabitants in great num-
bers, I carried off their spoil, the cities I burned with fire. I
went forth to the city of Ardupa. At that time I received
tribute from Ahiramu, son of Iahiri, of the land of Salli, from
the son of Bahiani of the land of Hatti, and from the kings
of the land of Hanigalbat, — silver, gold, lead, vessels of
copper, cattle, sheep, and horses.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 149
Year 3. Against the rebels of Zamua {east of the Tigris) {Col.
11, n. 23-40)
448. In the eponymy of Assur-idin they brought me word
saying: “Nur-Adad, the prince of the land of Dagara, has
revolted, (the men) of the whole of the land of Zamua have
banded themselves together, and they have built a wall in
the pass of Babite” ; (and they added) that they were coming
to wage battle and war against me. Trusting in Assur, the
great lord, my lord, and Nergal, my leader, and the terrible
weapons which Assur, my lord, gave to me, I mustered my
arms (and) hosts and unto the pass of Babite I marched. The
men trusted in the masses of their armies, and made war.
With the supreme might of Nergal, my leader, I fought with
them, I defeated them, I shattered their host. 1,460 of their
warriors I slew in the pass. The cities of Uze, Birutu, and
Lagalaga, their fortresses, together with one hundred cities
which lay round about them, I captured. Their spoil, their
herds, their cattle, and their sheep I carried off. Nur-Adad
went up into the steep mountain to save his life. 12,000
(men) of their armies I carried away.
449. From Dagara I departed, to the city of Bara I drew
near. The city of B&ra I captured; 320 of their fighting men
I cut down with the sword; their cattle, their sheep, and their
heavy booty I carried off; 300 (men) of their armies I
snatched away. On the fifteenth day of the month Tashritu
I departed from the city of Kakzi, the pass of Babite I
entered. From the city of Babite I departed, to Mount Nisir,
which (men of) the land of Lullu call Mount Kinipa, I drew
near. The city of Bunasi, their stronghold, belonging to
Musasina, 1 and thirty cities of its neighborhood I captured.
The men fled and occupied a steep mountain. Assur-n&sir-
pal, the hero, pursued them like birds; he piled up their
corpses in Mount Nisir, 326 of their warriors he slew. He took
1 Name of the city’s ruler.
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his horses from him. With the remainder of them he dark-
ened the gullies and precipices of the mountain. Seven cities,
which were in the midst of Mount Nisir and which they had
fortified as their strongholds, I captured. Their inhabitants
I slew. Their spoil, their possessions, their cattle, and their
sheep, I carried off. The cities I burned with fire. To my
camp I returned and spent the night.
450. From that camp I departed and I marched against
the cities which are upon Mount Nisir, the site of which no
man had ever seen. The city of Larbusa, the stronghold of
Kirtiara, 1 and eight cities of its neighborhood, I captured.
The men fled and occupied a steep mountain. The peak of
the mountain rose (lit., lay) like the point of an iron dagger,
but the king with his hosts climbed up after them. In the
midst of the mountain I cast down their corpses. 172 of
their warriors I slew, and great numbers of men I strewed
(lit., poured out) upon the rocks of the mountain. Their
spoil, their possessions, their cattle, and their sheep, I car-
ried away, their cities I burned with fire. Their heads I
bound to tree trunks of the mountain (side), their young
men and maidens I burned in the fire, and to my camp I
returned and spent the night. From this camp I departed;
150 cities of the (men of) Larbusa, Dur-Luluma, Bunisa,
and Bara I captured. I slew their inhabitants, I carried off
their spoil. The cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned
with fire. Fifty of the men of the city of B&ra I slew in a
battle on the plain (open battle).
451. At that time the terrifying splendor of Assur, my
lord, overwhelmed the kings of the whole of the land of
Zamua, and they embraced my feet. I received horses, silver,
and gold (from them). I put all the land under one control;—
horses, silver, gold, grain (barley), straw, and forced labor I
imposed upon them. From the city of Tukulti-Assur-asbat
1 Name of the city’s ruler.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 151
I departed, (the road) at the foot of Mount Nishpi I took. All
night I marched. To the cities which lay afar off in the midst
of Mount Nishpi, (and) which Nur-Adad had turned into
his strongholds, I came. The city of Birutu I captured, I
burned it with fire.
Year 4. A third 1 campaign against Zamna (Col. II, U. 49-86 )
452. In the eponymy of Limutti-adur, while I was staying
in Nineveh, men brought me word that Ameka and Arashtua
had withheld the tribute and forced labor due unto Assur,
my lord. At the word of Assur, the great lord, my lord, and
of Nergal, my leader, on the first day of the month of Simanu
I ordered a call to arms for the third time against the land of
Zamua. I did not wait for my chariots and hosts; I departed
from the city of Kakzi, the Lower Zab I crossed. I entered
the pass of Babite, I crossed the Radanu, drawing nearer
every day to the foot of Mount Simaki. Cattle, sheep and
wine, the tribute of the land of Dagara, I received. The
chariots and picked cavalry (men) I took with me,
and all the night, until the dawn, I marched from (along?)
the foot of the mountain of Simaki. I crossed the Turnat,
and with all haste(?) to the city of Ammali, the stronghold
of Arashtu, I drew near. With battle and assault I stormed
the city, I took (it). 800 of their fighting men I struck down
with the sword, with their corpses I filled the streets of their
city, with their blood I dyed their houses. Many men I cap-
tured alive with my hand, and I carried off great spoil from
them; the city I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with
fire.
453. The city of Hudun and twenty cities of its neighbor-
hood I captured; I slew the inhabitants thereof, their spoil,
their cattle, and their sheep I carried off; their cities I de-
stroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire; their young men
and their maidens I burned in the flames. The city of Kisirtu,
1 The campaign of year 1 is regarded as the first.
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1 52 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
their stronghold, ruled by (lit., of) Sabini, together with ten
cities of its neighborhood, I captured, I slew their inhabitants,
their spoil I carried away. The cities of the Bureaus, which
were ruled by Kirtiara, and those of the men of Dura and of
Bunisa, as far as the pass of Hashmar, I destroyed, I devas-
tated, I burned with fire, I turned them into mounds and
ruins. I departed from the cities of Arashtua , 1 1 entered the
pass between the steep mountains of Lira and Bidirgi, which
for the passage of chariots and hosts was not suited (lit., laid),
to Zamri, the royal city of Ameka of the land of Zamua, I
drew near.
454. Ameka became afraid before my mighty weapons
and my fierce battle array, and occupied a steep mountain.
The goods of his palace and his chariot I carried away; from
the city of Zamri I departed. I crossed the LalM and marched
to Mount Etini, a difficult region, which was not suited (lit.,
laid) for the passage of chariots and armies, and unto which
none among the kings, my fathers, had come nigh. The king,
together with his armies, climbed up into Mount Etini. His
goods and his possessions, many copper utensils, a copper
wild-ox, vessels of copper, bowls of copper, cups of copper,
the wealth of his palace, his heaped-up treasures, I carried
out of the mountain, returned to my camp and spent the
night. With the help of Assur and Shamash, the gods, my
helpers, I departed from that camp, and I set out after him.
I crossed the Edir River and in the midst of the mighty
mountains of SO. and Elaniu I slew multitudes of them. His
goods and his possessions, a copper wild-ox, vessels of copper,
bowls of copper, dishes of copper, many copper utensils,
tables which were overlaid with gold, their cattle and their
flocks, their possessions, their heavy spoil, from the foot of
Mount Elaniu I carried off. I took his horse from him.
Ameka, to save his life, climbed up into Mount Sabua.
1 The ruler’s name.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 153
455. The cities of Zamru, Arasitku, Ammaru, Parsindu,
Iritu, and Suritu, his strongholds, together with 150 cities
which lay round about, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned
with fire, into mounds and ruin heaps I turned them. While I
was staying before the city of Parsindi, I placed in reserve
the cavalry and pioneers (sappers). Fifty of Ameka’s war-
riors I slew in the field, I cut off their heads and bound them
to the tree trunks within his palace court. Twenty men I
captured alive and I immured them in the wall of his palace.
From the city of Zamri I took with me the cavalry and pio-
neers, and marched against the cities of Ata, 1 of Arzizu, unto
which none among the kings my fathers had come nigh.
The cities of Arzizu and Arsindu, his strongholds, together
with ten cities which lay round about on the steep mountain
of Nispi, I captured. I slew the inhabitants thereof; the cities
I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire, and returned to
my camp.
456. At that time I received copper , — tabbili of copper,
and rings(?) of copper, and many shariaie from the land of
Sipirmena who(se inhabitants?) speak like women.
457. From the city of Zamri I departed and into the
difficult mountain of L&ra, which was not suited for the pas-
sage of chariots and armies, with hatchets of iron I cut and
with axes of bronze I hewed (a way), and I brought over the
chariots and troops and came down to the city of Tukulti-
Assur-asbat, which the men of the land of Lullu call Arakdi.
All the kings of the land of Zamua were affrighted before
the fury of my arms and the terror of my dominion, and em-
braced my feet. Tribute and tax, — silver, gold, lead, copper,
vessels of copper, garments of brightly colored wool, horses,
cattle, sheep, and wine I laid upon them (in greater measure)
than before and used their forced laborers in the city of Calah.
While I was staying in the land of Zamua, the men of the
.* Man’s name.
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154 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
cities Huduni, Hartishi, Hubushkia and Gilzani were over-
whelmed with the terrifying splendors of Assur, my lord, and
they brought me tribute and tax, — silver, gold, horses, gar-
ments of brightly colored wool, cattle, flocks, and wine.
The people, such as had fled from before my arms, climbed up
into the mountains. I pursued them. Between the mountains
of Aziru and Simaki they had settled themselves, and had
made the city of Mesu their stronghold. Mount Aziru I de-
stroyed, I devastated, and from the midst of Mount Simaki
as far as the river Turnat I strewed their corpses. 500 of
their warriors I slew and carried off their heavy spoil, the
cities I burned with fire.
458 - At that time, in the land of Zamua, the city of At-
lila, which for the scepter of the king of Karduniash they
had seized, had decayed and had become (lit., turned into) a
mound and ruin heap. Assur-nasir-pal restored it. I sur-
rounded it with a wall, and I erected therein a palace for my
royal dwelling, I adorned it and made it glorious and greater
than it was before. Grain and straw from the whole land I
heaped up within it, and I called its name Dfir-Assur.
Year 5. Against Kutmuhu ( Commagene ) and Zamani (Col.
II, ll. 86-125 )
459. On the first day of the month Sitndnu, in the epony-
my of Sha-ilima-damka, I mobilized my chariots and my
armies, I crossed the Tigris and entered the land of Kut-
muhi. I opened a palace in the city of Tiluli and received the
tribute of the land of Kutmuhi. From the land of Kutmuhi I
departed, and I entered the pass of Ishtarati (the goddesses).
In the city of Kibaki I spent the night and I received cattle,
flocks, wine, vessels of copper, — the tribute of the city of
Kibaki. From the city of Kibaki I departed and I drew nigh
unto the city of Matiati. The city of Matiati together with its
villages I captured. 2,800 of their fighting men I cut down
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 1 55
with the sword, their great spoil I carried off. All the men
who had fled before my arms (now) embraced my feet, and I
caused them to reoccupy their cities, I imposed tribute, tax,
and overseers, more stringently upon them. I fashioned an
image in my own likeness, (the record of) my victorious might
I inscribed thereon, and set it up in the city of Matiati.
460. From the city of Matiati I departed and in the city
of Zazabuha I spent the night. I received the tribute of the
land of Kirhi, — cattle, flocks, wine, vessels of copper, copper
wild-oxen, (and) beakers of copper. From the city of Zaza-
buha I departed, I spent the night at the city of Irsia. The
city of Irsia I burned with fire. The tribute of the city of
Sfira, — cattle, flocks, wine, vessels of copper, I received in
the city of Irsia.
461. From the city of Irsia I departed, and spent the
night in the mountain of Kashiari. The city of Madaranzu,
and two cities of its environs, I captured, slew their inhabit-
ants, carried off their spoil, and burned the cities with fire.
For six days in the midst of the mighty mountain of Kashiari,
a difficult region which was not suited for the passage of
chariots and troops, with hatchets of iron I cut and with axes
of bronze I hewed a way through, and I brought over the
chariots and troops. In the cities which were along my path
in the midst of the mountain of Kashiari I received cattle,
flocks, wine, vessels of copper, and beakers of copper. I
crossed over the mountain of Kashiaru and for the second
tim e I went down into the lands of Nairl. In the city of
Shinigisha I spent the night. From the city of Sinigisha I de-
parted and I drew nigh unto the city of Madara, the strong-
hold of Lapturi, the son of Tubusi. The city was exceeding
strong and surrounded with four walls. I stormed the city,
and they became frightened before my mighty arms, and
their goods, their possessions, and their sons, I received as
gifts from them. I had. mercy on them and spared their
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lives. Tribute, tax, and overseers, I imposed upon them.
The city I destroyed and devastated, and I turned it into
a mound and ruin heap. From the city of Madara I departed,
into the city of Tushhan I entered.
462. I opened a palace in the city of Tushhan. The
tribute of the land of Nirdun, — horses, mules, vessels of
copper, beakers of copper, cattle, flocks, and wine I received
in the city of Tushhan. Sixty strong, walled cities at the foot
of the mountain of Kashiari, which (were ruled by) Lapturi,
the son of Tubusi, I destroyed and devastated, I turned them
into mounds and ruin heaps.
463. With the help of Assur, my lord, I departed from
the city of Tushhan. The chariots and picked cavalry
I took with me, and on rafts I crossed the Tigris. All night I
marched and I drew nigh unto Pitura, the stronghold of the
men of the land of Dirra. The city was exceeding strong, and
was surrounded with two walls. Its citadel was like a moun-
tain peak. With the supreme might of Assur, my lord, with
the multitude of my hosts and with my furious battle on-
slaught I fought with them. For two days, from before sun-
rise, I thundered against them like Adad, (the god) of the
storm, and I rained down flame upon them. With courage
and might my warriors flew against them like Zu, (the
Storm-bird). I took the city, and 800 of their fighting men
I put to the sword, and cut off their heads. Multitudes I cap-
tured alive, and the rest of them I burned with fire, and car-
ried off their heavy spoil. I formed a pillar of the living
and of heads over against his city gate and 700 men I impaled
on stakes over against their city gate. The city I destroyed, I
devastated, and I turned it into a mound and ruin heap.
Their young men and their maidens I burned in the fire.
464. The city of Kfikunu, which is at the mouth of the
pass of Mount Matni, I captured. 700 of their fighting men
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 157
I put to the sword, and their great spoil I carried away. Fifty
cities of the land of Dira I captured, I slew their inhabitants,
and I carried off their spoil; fifty men I captured alive, the
cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. The
terrifying splendor of my dominion I poured out over them.
465. From the city of Bitura I departed, and I went down
unto the city of Arbaki in the land of Kirhi, which lies within.
They were frightened by the terrifying splendor of my majes-
ty, and they tore down their cities and their walls, and, to
save their lives, they climbed up into the mighty mountain
of Matni. After them I marched and slaughtered 1,000 of
their fighting men in the midst of the steep mountain; with
their blood I dyed the mountain, and with their corpses I
filled the chasms and ravines of the mountain. 200 men I
captured alive, I cut off their hands (arms). 2,000 prisoners
I carried away. Their cattle and their flocks in countless
numbers I carried off. Iiaia and Salaniba, the fortresses of the
city of Arbaki, I captured, I slew their inhabitants, and I car-
ried off their spoil. 250 strong, walled cities in the lands of
Nairi I destroyed, I devastated, and I turned them into
mounds and ruin heaps. The harvest of their land I gathered,
grain and straw I heaped up in the city of Tushha.
466. Against Amme-ba’la, the son of Zamani, his nobles
revolted, and they slew him. To avenge Amme-ba’la I
marched forth. Before the fury of my arms and the terror
of my dominion they were ( v ., he was) affrighted; and chariots
equipped with their quotas of men and horses, 460 of his
horses, broken to the yoke, two talents of silver, two talents
of gold, 100 talents of lead, 100 talents of copper, 300 talents
of iron, 100 vessels of bronze, 3,000 pans of copper, bowls of
copper, caldrons of copper, and 1,000 garments made of
brightly colored wool, and linen garments, vessels of SEA-
wood, ivory couches overlaid with gold, the treasures of
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158 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
his palace, 2,000 head of cattle, 5,000 sheep, his sister with
her rich dowry, and the daughters of his nobles with their
rich dowries, I received.
Summary of the king's conquests and announcement of the re-
moval of the capital to Calah {Col. II, ll. 12 5-3 5)
467. Assur-n&sir-pal, the great king, the mighty king,
king of the universe, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-Urta,
the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of
Assyria; (grand)son of Adad-nirari, the great king, the
mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; the val-
iant hero who with the help of Assur, his lord, marches forth,
and among the princes of the four quarters (of the world)
has no rival; the king, who from beyond the Tigris even to
Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, has brought into sub-
mission at his feet the whole of the land of Lake, the land of
Suhi, as far as the city Rapiku, and whose hand has con-
quered (the territory) from the source of the river Subnat
even to the pass which lies thereby {lit., inside). (The region)
from the pass of Kirruri to the land of Gilzani, and from be-
yond the Lower Zab to the city of Tilbari, which is above the
land of Zaban, and from the city of Til-sha-Abtani to the city
of Til-sha-Zabdani,the cities of Hirimu and Harutu, fortresses
of the land of Karduniash, I have added unto the border of
my land. The broad lands of Nairi in their length and
breadth I have brought under my sway. The city of Calah
I have taken anew (as a dwelling); the ancient mounds I
destroyed, I dug down to the water level, — 120 tipki I pene-
trated into the depth. The temple of Urta, my lord, I
founded therein.
468. When I had fashioned that image of Urta — of whom
there had not been one before — according to the prompting
of my heart, as the protecting image of his great divinity —
with the choicest stone from the mountain and with ruddy
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 159
gold, I accounted (it) my great divinity in the city of Calah,
and I established feasts in his honor in the months Shabatu
and Ululu. That temple I constructed of burnt brick and
the shrine of Urta, my lord, I made glorious therein. The
temples of Belit-mati (the Lady of the Land), of Sin, and of
Gula; an image of Ea-sharri, and an image of Adad, the ruler
of heaven and earth, I founded.
Year 6. South-westward across Mesopotamia , to Einddni , on
the further {south) bank of the Euphrates, then down the
Euphrates, via Anah {Col. Ill, ll. 1-26 )
469. On the twenty-second day of the month of Simdnu,
in the eponymy of Dagan-bel-nasir, I departed from the city
of Calah, crossed over the Tigris, and on that side of the
Tigris I received much tribute. I spent the night in the city
of Tabite. On the sixth day of the month of Ddzu I departed
from the city of Tabite, and I marched unto the district of
the river Harmish, I spent the night in the city of Magarisi.
From the city of Magarisi I departed, and I marched to the
district of the river Habur. X spent the night in the city of
Gardiganni. The tribute of Gardiganni, — silver, gold, lead,
vessels of copper, cattle, and flocks, I received. From the city
of Gardiganni I departed. I spent the night in the city of
Katni, and I received the tribute of the Katnites. From
the city of Katni I departed. I spent the night in the
city of Dur-katlime. From the city of Dur-katlime I de-
parted. I spent the night in the city of Bit-halupe, and the
tribute of the city of Bit-halupe, — silver, gold, lead, vessels
of copper, garments of brightly colored wool, and linen
garments, cattle, and flocks I received. From the land
of Bit-halupe I departed. I spent the night in the city of
Sirki, and the tribute of the men of the city of Sirki, — silver,
gold, lead, vessels, cattle, and flocks I received. From the
city of Sirki I departed. I spent the night in the city of Supri,
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160 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
and the tribute of the men of the city of Supri, — silver, gold,
lead, vessels, cattle, and flocks I received. From the city of
Supri I departed. I spent the night in the city of Nakarabani,
and the tribute of the city of Nakarabani, — silver, gold, lead,
vessels, cattle, and flocks I received. From the city of Naka-
rabani I departed. I spent the night in front of the city of
Hindani — the city of Hindani lies on the further bank of the
Euphrates. And the tribute of the men of Hindani, — silver
gold, lead, vessels, cattle, and flocks I received. From the
city of Hindani I departed. I spent the night on a mountain
( i.e ., a plateau) hard by the Euphrates. From the mountain
I departed. In Bit-Shabaia, over against the city of Haridi, I
spent the night, — the city of Haridi lies on the further bank
of the Euphrates. From Bit-Shab&ia I departed. In front of
the city of Anat I spent the night, — the city of Anat lies in the
middle of the Euphrates. From the city of Anat I departed.
470. The city of Sftru, the stronghold of Kudurru, the
governor of the land of Suhi, I stormed. In the widespreading
hosts of the Kassites he trusted, and came forth against me,
offering battle and combat. The city I stormed, and for two
days I fought a battle within it. Before my mighty arms,
Kudurru, together with seventy of his men, to save his life,
cast himself into the Euphrates. I took the city, and fifty
cavalrymen, together with the troops of N ab u-apal-iddina t
king of Karduniash (Babylonia), and Sabdanu, his brother,
together with 3,000 of their fighting men, and Bel-apal-
iddina, the seer who led their forces, I captured along with
them. Many men I cut down with the sword. Silver, gold,
lead, vessels, precious stone from the mountain, the pos-
sessions from his palace, chariots, his horses, broken to the
yoke, trappings of men, trappings of horses, the women of
his palaces, — a heavy booty, I carried off. The city I de-
stroyed, I devastated. Power and might I established over
the land of Suhi. The fear of my dominion extended to the
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 161
land of Karduniash, and the chilling fear of my arms over-
whelmed the land of Kaldu. Over the mountains, on the
banks of the Euphrates, I poured out terror. A statue in my
(own) image I fashioned. (The record of) my power and
might I inscribed (thereon). In the city of Shri I set it up.
(The inscription reads:) “Assur-nasir-pal, the king whose
glory and might are enduring, whose countenance is set
toward the desert, whose heart desires to make broad his
protection(P).”
Against Hinddni of Lake, and Suhi — year not given (Col. Ill,
U. 26-50)
471. While I was staying in the city of Calah, they
brought me tidings, saying: “The men of the land of Lak^
the city of Hindani, and the land of Suhi have revolted, and
have crossed over the Euphrates.”
472. On the eighteenth day of the month of Simdnu I
departed from the city of Calah, I crossed the Tigris, and I
marched into the desert. To the city of Suri in Bit-Hulupe
(v., Halupe) I drew nigh. Ships of my own I built in the city
of Stiri, and I marched up to the Euphrates, and (from there)
descended as far as the narrows of the Euphrates. The cities
of Henti-ilu, and of Azi-ilu of the land of Lake I captured,
I slew their inhabitants, I carried off their spoil. The cities
I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. On my march
I swung around from the mouth of the river Habur to the city
of Sibate in the land of Suhi. The cities which lie on this side
the Euphrates in the land of Lak§ and in the land of Suhi I
destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. Their harvest I
reaped, and 470 of their fighting men I put to the sword.
Twenty (v., 30) men I took alive and upon stakes I impaled
them. In the ships which I had built, 1 vessels made of skins,
which for transport carry (loads) from twenty (gur) and
1 Or, in ships which they built.
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16a ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
upward, 1 at the city of Haridi I crossed over the Euphrates.
The men of the lands of Suhi and Lake and the city of Hind-
anu trusted in the multitude of their chariots, their hosts, and
their forces. 6,000 of their hosts they mobilized, and ad-
vanced against me, offering battle and combat. I fought
with them. I overthrew them, I destroyed their chariots,
6,500 of their warriors I cut down with the sword, the rest
of them I consumed with thirst in the desert of the Euphrates.
From the city of Haridi in the land of Suhi as far as the city
of Kipina, I captured the cities of the men of Hindanu, and
of the men of Lake, which lie on the further bank, I slew their
inhabitants, I carried off their spoil, the cities I destroyed, I
devastated, I burned with fire. Azi-ilu of the land of Lake
trusted in his own might and sought cover(?) in the city of
Kipina. I fought with them, (and forced him), defeated,
from Kipina. 1,000 of his fighting men I slew, I destroyed
his chariots, his rich spoil I carried off, and I took away his
gods. To save his life he occupied the steep mountain of
Bisura, which is over against the Euphrates. For two days I
pursued him. The remainder of his armies I put to the sword.
What was left of them (lit., the rest of them) the mountain
by the Euphrates consumed. As far as Dummete (and) As-
mu, cities of the men of Adini, I pursued him, and the rest of
his hosts I put to the sword. His heavy spoil, his cattle, his
flocks, which were countless in number as the stars of heaven,
I carried off. At that time Ila of the land of Lake, and his
chariots, — equipped, (and) 500 of his troops, I tore away
and I brought them to my land of Assyria. The cities of
Dummutu (and) Asmu I captured, I devastated, I destroyed,
I burned with fire. From the narrows of the Euphrates I
came forth, and (so) made the round on my march.
473. In order to save his life, Azi-ilu fled from before my
mighty arms. 114 , the prince of the land of Lake, his hosts,
1 So King translates a very difficult passage.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 163
his chariots, his teams I tore away, and brought them to my
city of Assur. Himti-ilu of the land of Lake I shut up in his
city. Through the help of Assur, my lord, at my mighty arms
and my furious battle onset and my equipped forces, he be-
came frightened, and I received from him the possessions of
his palace, — silver, gold, lead, copper, vessels of copper, and
garments made of brightly colored wool — his heavy spoil; the
tribute and tax I increased more than before and I laid it
upon them.
At that time on the farther side of Euphrates I slew fifty
mighty wild bulls, and eight wild bulls I captured alive, and
I slew twenty M AL-SH I R-birds, and twenty MAL-SHIR-
birds I captured alive. Two cities I founded upon the Eu-
phrates; the one on this side of the Euphrates I named Kar-
Assur-nasir-pal, and the one on the farther side of the
Euphrates I named Nibarti-Assur.
Against Bil-Adini — year not given {Col. Ill , ll. 50-56)
474. On the twentieth day of the month Simanu I de-
parted from the city of Calah, I crossed the Tigris, and I
marched to the land of Bit-Adini. To the city of Kaprabi,
their stronghold, I drew nigh. The city was exceeding strong,
and hung down like a cloud from heaven. The inhabitants
put their trust in their numerous hosts, and they did not
come down, they did not embrace my feet. By the command
of Assur, the great lord, my lord, and of Nergal, who goes
before me, I stormed the city. With mines and battering-
rams and siege engines, I took it, and I slew many of the in-
habitants thereof. 800 of their fighting men I slaughtered,
their spoil and their possessions I carried off. 2,400 of their
troops I transported, and I settled them in the city of Calah.
The city I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire, I
consumed it. I established the terrifying splendor of Assur,
my lord, over Bit-Adini. At that time I received the tribute
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i6 4 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
of Ahuni of (the land of) Adini, and of Habini of the city ol
Til-abna, — silver, gold, lead, copper, garments made of
brightly colored wool, and linen garments, beams of cedar-
wood, the treasure of his palace. I took hostages from them,
and I had mercy upon them.
Another raid through Bit- Adini and Hattina, to Mount Amanus
and the Mediterranean — no year given (Col. Ill, 11 . 56- Q2)
475. On the eighth day of the month Ulnlu I departed
from the city of Calah, I crossed the Tigris, (and) I took the
road to Carchemish in the land of Hatte. Unto Bit-Bahiani
I drew nigh. The tribute of the inhabitants of Bahiani, —
chariots, equipped with horses, silver, gold, lead, copper,
vessels of copper I received. The chariots, the cavalrymen,
and the foot soldiers of the Bahianeans I took with me. I
departed from Bit-Bahiani. Unto the land of Asalli I drew
nigh. The tribute of Adad-’ime of the land of Salli,— chari-
ots, equipped with horses, silver, gold, lead, copper, vessels
of copper, cattle, flocks, and wine I received. The chariots,
the cavalrymen, the foot soldiers I took with me. From the
land of Asalli I departed. Unto Bit-Adini I drew nigh. The
tribute of Ahuni of the land of Adini, — silver, gold, lead,
copper, vessels of copper, tables of ivory, a bed of ivory and
SHA-wood, ivory, chairs of ivory overlaid with silver and
gold, a ring of gold, an ornamented clasp(?) of gold, gagi of
gold, a golden dagger, cattle, flocks, and wine I received as
his tribute. The chariots, the cavalrymen and the foot
soldiers of Ahuni I took with me. At that time the tribute
of Habini of the city of Til-abna — four minas of silver, and
400 sheep I received from him, and ten minas of silver I
imposed upon him as a yearly tribute. From the land of
Bit-Adini I departed.
476. I crossed the Euphrates at its flood in ships made of
skins, (and) I drew nigh to Carchemish. The tribute of
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 165
Sangara, king of the land of Hatte, — twenty talents of silver,
a clasp(?) of gold, a ring of gold, golden daggers, 100 talents
of copper, 250 talents of iron, copper wild-oxen(?), vessels of
copper, bowls of copper, and a brazier of copper, the rich
furniture of his palace, whose weight could not be computed,
beds of boxwood, chairs of boxwood, and tables of boxwood
inlaid with ivory, 200 maidens, garments made of brightly
colored wool, and linen garments, blue and purple wool,
SHIR-NU-MA- stone, elephants’ tusks, a gorgeous chariot,
a couch of gold, worthily adorned for his royal splendor,
I received from him. The chariots, the cavalrymen, and
the foot soldiers of the city of Carchemish I took with me.
The kings of all the lands came unto me and embraced my
feet. I took hostages from them. Before me they rose up(?),
to the Lebanon they marched. From Carchemish I departed,
and between the mountains of Munzigani and Hamurga I
marched. The land of Ahanu I kept on my left hand. To the
city of Hazazi, belonging to Lubama of the land of Hattina,
I drew nigh, — gold, garments (of wool), linen garments I
received. I passed on, I crossed the Apre River, and spent
the night.
477. From the river Apre I departed, to Kunulua, the
royal city of Lubama of Hattina, I drew nigh. Before my
terrible weapons and my furious battle array he became
frightened, and to save his life he laid hold of my feet.
Twenty talents of silver, one talent of gold, 100 talents of
lead, 100 talents of iron, 1,000 head of cattle, 10,000 sheep,
1,000 garments made of brightly colored wool, linen gar-
ments, a couch of boxwood which was sumptuously in-
laid, beds of boxwood, beds which were sumptuously inlaid,
many tables of ivory and of boxwood, whereof the weight
could not be computed, 10 female musicians, [his brother’s
daughter with her rich dowry 1 , and a great fagutu, and
mighty 1 received from him as his tribute, and I had
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166 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
mercy upon him. The chariots, the horsemen, and the foot
soldiers of the land of Hattina I took with me, and hostages I
received from him. At that time the tribute of Gfisi of the
land of Iahani, — silver, gold, lead [copper], cattle, sheep,
garments made of brightly colored wool, and linen garments.
478. From Kunulua, the royal city of Lubarna of the
land of Hattina, I departed. I crossed the river 'Orontes 1
and I spent the night. From the river Orontes (Arantu) I de-
parted and between the mountain of Iaraki and Ia’turi I
marched. The land of — ku I traversed, and I halted (for the
night) upon the river Sangura. From the river Sangura I de-
parted and between the mountains of Saratini and Duppani I
marched, and by the [lakes? 1 I halted (for the night). Into
Aribua, the royal city of Lubarna of the land of Hattina, I
entered. The city I took for my own possession; grain and
straw from the land of Luhuti I gathered and I heaped them
up therein, and I held a feast in his palace. Men from Assyria I
settled therein. While I was staying in the city of Aribua,
I captured the cities of the land of Luhuti, I slew many of
their inhabitants. I destroyed, I devastated, I burned (the
cities) with fire. (Their) men I took alive, I impaled them
on stakes over against their cities.
479. At that time I marched along the side of Mount
Lebanon, and to the Great Sea of the land of Amurru I went
up. In the Great Sea I washed my weapons, and I made
offerings unto the gods. The tribute of the kings of the sea-
coast, of the people of Tyre, Sidon, Gebail (Byblos), Ma-
halata, Maisa, Kaisa, Amurru, and Arvad, which lies in the
midst of the sea, — silver, gold, lead, copper, vessels of copper,
garments made of brightly colored wool, linen garments,
a great pagutu, and a small pagutu, maple-wood, boxwood,
and ivory, and a dolphin (“sea-horse”), 1 a creature of the
sea, I received as tribute from them, and they embraced my
1 ci. 1 298.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 167
feet. Into Mount Amanus I climbed up, and beams of cedar,
cypress, juniper, and pine I cut down. I made offerings unto
the gods, and I fashioned a memorial (stele) of my valor,
and there I set it up. The beams of cedar from Mount Ama-
nus were an offering (or, I offered) to Esharra, to my temple,
(where) I was sumptuously fashioning a chamber of rejoicing
for the temple of Sin and Shamash, the gods of light (lit.,
shining gods). Unto the land of mehru- trees (i.e., Mehri) I
went, and the whole of the land of mehru- trees I conquered.
I cut down beams of mehru- wood, and brought them to
Nineveh, and to Ishtar, the lady of Nineveh, my lady, I
presented them.
Year 18. Against Kutmuhu (Commagene) and Zamani (Col.
Ill, ll. 92-113 )
480. In the eponymy of Shamash-nffri, by the command
of Assur, the great lord, my lord, on the twentieth day of the
month Ululu I departed from the city of Calah, I crossed the
Tigris, and I went down unto the land of Kipani. The tribute
of the rulers of the lands of Kipani I received in the city of
Huzirina. While I remained in the city of Huzirina, tribute
from Itti’ of the land of Salla, and from Giridadi of the land
of Ashsha, — silver, gold, cattle, and flocks I received. At
that time I also received beams of cedar, silver, gold, the
tribute of Katazilu of the land of Kummuhi. 1 From the city
of Huzirina I departed, and I marched up stream alongside
the Euphrates. The land of Kubbu I traversed, and I went
down into the midst of the cities of the lands of Ashsha and of
Kirhi which are before the land of Hatti. The cities of Umalia
and Hiranu, strongholds which lie in the midst of the land of
Adani, I captured. I slew many of the inhabitants thereof,
and their spoil in countless quantities I carried off. The cities
1 The gentilic Kummuhai shows that the older form (Kutmuhu) had become
Kummuhu in Assur-nasir-pal’s day.
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1 68 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
I destroyed, I devastated. 150 cities which lay about them
I burned with fire. From the city of Karania I departed, and
I entered the pass of the mountain of Amadani, and I went
down into the midst of the cities of the land of Dirria. The
cities which lie between the mountains of Amadani and of
Arkania I burned with fire, and the land of Mallanu which
is in the midst of the mountain of Arkania I took for my
own possession. From the land of Mallanu I departed,
unto the cities of the land of Zamba, which lay beside my
path, I burned with fire. I crossed the river Sfia and I halted
(for the night) by the Tigris. The cities on that side and on
this side of the Tigris in the mountain of Arkania I turned
into mounds and ruin heaps. The whole of the land of Kirhi
became frightened and embraced my feet, I took hostages
from them, my own governor I appointed over them. From
the pass of the mountain of Amadani I went forth unto the
city of Barzanishtun. Unto the city of Damdammusa, the
stronghold of Ilani of Zamani, I drew nigh. I stormed the
city; my warriors flew like birds against them. 600 of their
fighting men I struck down with the sword, I cut off their
heads. 400 men I took alive, 3,000 prisoners I brought out.
That city I took for my own possession. The living men and
the heads I carried to Amedi, his royal city, I made a pillar
of heads in front of his city gate, the living men I impaled
on stakes round about his city. I fought a battle within his
city gate, I cut down his orchards. From the city of Amedi I
departed. I entered the pass of the mountain of Kashiari
(and) of the city of Allabra, wherein none among the kings,
my fathers, had set foot, or had made an expedition thereto.
Unto the city of Uda, the stronghold of Lapturi, the son of
Tubusi, I drew nigh. I stormed the city; with mines, siege
engines, and battering-rams I took the city. 1,4004 of their
fighting men I put to the sword, 580 men I captured alive,
3,000 prisoners I brought out. The living men I impaled on
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 169
stakes round about his city, of the others I put out the eyes.
The rest of them I transported and brought to Assyria. The
city I took for my own possession.
In praise of the king — summary of conquests {Col. Ill , ll. 11 3-
32)
481. Assur-nasir-pal, the great king, the mighty king,
king of the universe, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-Urta,
the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of
Assyria, (grand)son of Adad-nirari, the great king, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; the valiant hero,
who marches forth trusting in Assur, his lord, and among the
princes of the four quarters (of the world) has no rival; the
wonderful shepherd, who fears not the battle; the mighty
flood who has none to oppose; the king who has brought to
subjection those that were not subject unto him, has brought
under his sway the totality of all men; the mighty hero, who
has trampled on the neck of his foes, who has trodden down
all enemies, who has shattered the power of the strong; who
with the help of the great gods, his lords, marches forth,
whose hand has conquered all lands, who has brought under
his sway all the mountain regions and has received their
tribute, taking hostages and establishing might over all
countries!
482. When Assur, the lord who called me by my name and
made great my kingdom, intrusted his merciless weapon unto
my lordly power, I overthrew in battle the widespreading
hosts of the Lulume. With the help of Shamash and Adad,
the gods, my helpers, over the hosts of the lands of Nairi, of
Kirhi, of Shubare, and of Nirbe, I thundered like Adad, the
Storm(-god). (I am) the king, who, from beyond the Tigris
even to Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea has brought into
subjection under his feet the whole of the land of Lake, the
land of Suhi as far as the city of Rapiku, and has conquered
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170 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
with his hand (the region) from the source of the river Sub-
nat even to the pass which lies inside. (The region) from the
pass of Kirruri to the land of Gilzani, from beyond the Lower
Zab to the city of Til-bari, which is above the land of Zaban,
and as far as the cities of Til-sha-Zabdani and Til-sha-abtani,
the cities of Hirimu and Harutu, the fortresses of the land
of Karduniash, I have added to the border of my land, (the
inhabitants of the countries) from the pass of Babite to the
land of Hashmar I have reckoned as peoples of my land. In
the lands which I have brought under my sway I have ap-
pointed my governors; and vassalage, service, and forced
labor have I laid upon them.
483- Assur-nasir-pal, the exalted prince, the worshiper
of the great gods, the courageous ruler, the conqueror of
cities and mountains to their farthest border, king of lords,
the consumer of the wicked, the merciless hero, the destroyer
of opposition, the king of all princes, the king of kings, the
exalted priest, the chosen of the hero Urta, the mighty one
among (or, the beloved of) the great gods, the king who with
the help of Assur and Urta, the gods, his helpers, has walked
righteously, and has brought into subjection under his feet
proud mountain (eers) and princes, who were his enemies, and
the whole of their lands; who has fought with the enemies of
Assur in the upper and in the lower countries, and has laid
tribute and tax upon them. Assur-nasir-pal, the mighty
king, the chosen of Sin, the favorite of Anu, the beloved of
Adad, the mighty one among the gods, the merciless weapon
which overthrows the land of his enemies, am I; the king,
mighty in battle, the destroyer of cities and mountains, first
in war, the king of the four quarters (of the world), the con-
queror of his foes, who has cast into subjection under his
feet mighty countries, and [proud] mountains, valiant and
merciless kings from the rising of the sun unto the setting of
the same, and has forced them to acknowledge one supremacy.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 171
The rebuilding of Calah (Col. Ill, ll. 132-36)
484. The former city of Calah, which Shalmaneser, king
of Assyria, a prince who preceded me, had built, — that city
had fallen into decay, and lay in ruins, it was turned into a
mound and ruin heap. That city I built anew, peoples whom
my hand had conquered, from the lands which I had sub-
dued, from the land of Suhi, from the land of Lake, in its
entirety, from the city of Sirku on the other side of the Eu-
phrates, from the land of Zamua to its farthest border, from
Bit-Adini and the land of Hatte, and of Liburna of the land
of Hattini, I took and I settled therein. I dug a canal from
the Upper Z 4 b, and I named it Pati-hegalli. I laid out
orchards round about it, fruit and wine I offered unto Assur,
my lord, and (in) the (other) temples of my land. The ancient
mound I removed, I dug down to the water level, 120 tipki I
descended into the depth. I built the wall thereof; from its
foundation unto its top I built and completed it.
H. THE STANDARD INSCRIPTION
485. The “Standard Inscription” was engraved on the slabs, sculp-
tured or plain, of the royal palace at Calah (Nimrud). It is a summary
of the king’s conquests, including the submission of Lubarna of
Hattina, referred to in the undated campaign just preceding that of
the eighteenth year (§ 477). The text was published in Layard, In-
scriptions, Plates 1 f., and again in AKA, pp. 212 f., and Le Gac, op.
cit., pp. 153 f. See also Speleers, Recueil des Inscriptions, Nos. 319 f.
486. Palace of Assur-nasir-pal, the priest of Assur, the
favorite of Enlil (Bel) and Urta, the beloved of Anu and
Dagan, the strong one among the great gods, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-
Urta, the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe,
king of Assyria; (grand) son of Adad-nirari, the great king,
the mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; the
valiant hero, who goes hither and yon, trusting in Assur, his
lord, who is without a rival among the princes of the four
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172 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
quarters (of the world) ; the wonderful shepherd, who fears
not the battle; the mighty flood who is without a conqueror;
the king who has brought to subjection those who were not
submissive to him, and has brought under his sway the
totality of all peoples; the mighty hero, who tramples on the
neck of his foes, treads down all enemies, and who shatters
the power of the strong; the king who goes hither and yon,
trusting in the great gods, his lords, and whose hand has con-
quered all lands, who has brought under his sway all moun-
tain (regions) and has received their tribute, taking hostages
and establishing his might over all lands!
487. When Assur, the lord who called me by my name
and has made great my kingdom, intrusted his merciless
weapon unto my lordly power, I overthrew in battle the
widespreading hosts of the Lulume. With the help of Sha-
mash and Adad, the gods, my helpers, I thundered over the
hosts of the Nairi-lands, Kirhi, Shubare and Nirib, like
Adad, the destroyer. (I am) the king, who, from beyond the
Tigris unto Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, has brought
in submission at his feet the whole land of Lake, (and) Suhi,
as far as the city of Rapiku, whose hand has conquered (the
territory) from the source of the river Subnat to the land of
Urartu (Armenia). From the pass of Kirruri to the land of
Gilzani, and from beyond the Lower Zab to the city of Til-
bari, which is above the land of Zaban, from Til-sha-Abtani
and Til-sha-Zabdani, Hirimu and Harutu, the fortresses of
the land of Karduniash (Babylonia), I have added to the
border of my land, and (the inhabitants of the countries)
from the pass of Babite to the land of Hashmar I have reck-
oned as peoples of my land. In the lands which I have
brought under my sway I have appointed my governors, the
performance of service (I have laid upon them).
488. Assur-n 2 tsir-pal, the exalted prince, who fears the
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assur-nAsir-pal 173
great gods, the powerful lord, conqueror of cities and moun-
tains to their farthest border, the king of lords, who consumes
the wicked, who is crowned with splendor, who is fearless in
battle, the unsparing leader, the destroyer of opposition, the
king of glory, the shepherd, the protector of the (four) quar-
ters (of the world) ; the king, the word of whose mouth de-
stroys mountains and seas, who by his lordly attack has
forced mighty and merciless kings from the rising to the
setting sun to acknowledge one rule.
489. The former city of Calah, which Shalmaneser, king
of Assyria, a prince who lived (lit., went) before me, had
built, that city had fallen into ruins and lay prostrate. That
city I built anew, and the peoples whom my hand had con-
quered, from the lands which I had brought under my sway,
from the land of Suhi, from the whole land of Lake, from
the city of Sirku which is on the other side of the Euphrates,
from the farthest border of the land of Zamua, from Bit-Adini
and the land of Hatte, and from Lubarna, 1 (ruler) of the land
of Hattini, I took and I settled them therein. The ancient
mound I destroyed, and I dug down to the water level, I
went down 120 tipki. A palace of cedar, cypress, juniper,
boxwood, mulberry, pistachio-wood, and tamarisk, for my
royal dwelling and for my lordly pleasure for all time I
founded therein. Beasts of the mountains and of the seas of
white limestone and alabaster I fashioned, and set them up
in its gates, I adorned it, I made it glorious, and put copper
clothes-hooks all around it. Door-leaves of cedar, cypress,
juniper, and mulberry I hung in the gates thereof; and silver,
gold, lead, copper, and iron, the spoil of my hand from the
lands which I had brought under my sway, in great quanti-
ties I took and I placed therein.
1 Also given as Lubuma in some tests.
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174 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
III. THE GREAT MONOLITH
490. The Great Monolith, or sculptured stele of Assur-n&sir-pal
(British Museum, No. 847), from the entrance to the Urta temple at
Calah, contained the annals of the first five years of the king’s reign.
This fixes its date. Only the Introduction and concluding building in-
scription have been published and are here translated (text, Cols. I,
11 . i-ii, and Col. V, IR, Plate 27; AKA, pp. 242 f.; Le Gac, op. tit.,
pp. 129 f.)
Invocation of the gods (Col. I, ll. 1-11 )
491 . 0 Assur, the great lord, the king of all the great gods !
Anu, the mighty, the pre-eminent, who ordains the decrees
(of the gods)! Ea, king of the abyss, lord of wisdom, the
knowing one! Sin, the wise, the lord of the disk, who is full of
splendor! Marduk, the master, the lord of oracles! Adad,
the mighty, the strong one of the gods, the supreme! Urta,
the valiant, the hero of the gods, who strikes down the
wicked! Nusku, who bears a shining scepter, the exalted
god! Ninlil (Belit), the spouse of Enlil (Bel), the mother of
the great gods! Nergal, the perfect, the king of battle! Enlil
(Bel), the supreme, the father of the gods, creator of all
things ! Shamash, the judge of heaven and earth, the ruler of
all! Ishtar, first in heaven and on earth, who fills full the
measure of bravery! Ye great gods, who ordain the destiny
of the land, and have made great my kingdom ! 1
Rebuilding of Calah (Col. V)
492. (Vol. F) The former city of Calah, which Shalman-
eser, king of Assyria, a prince who went before me, had built,
that city had fallen into decay and lay prostrate, and had
been turned into mounds and ruins. That city I built anew,
and I dug a canal from the Upper Zab and named it Babelat-
hegalli . 2 I planted orchards round about it with all kinds of
1 From here to the beginning of Col. V the text is identical with that of Annals,
Col. 1, 11 . 18 f.
3 Bringer of abundance.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 175
fruit trees and vines. The choicest I offered unto Assur, my
lord, and unto (the gods) of the temples of my land. I built
the wall anew, from its foundation to its top I constructed,
I completed it. A palace for my royal dwelling and for my
lordly pleasure I founded therein for all time; I adorned it,
I made it glorious, with copper clothes-hooks I surrounded
it. Door-leaves I constructed of mighty fir trees, with bands
of copper I bound them, and in its door I set them. Chairs
of maple and boxwood, tables of ivory with inlay, silver,
gold, lead, copper and iron, the spoil of my hand from the
lands which I brought under my sway, I took and I placed
them therein.
493. Let (some) future prince repair its ruins, my name
(and) inscription let him restore to its place. (Then) Assur
will hear his prayers. The palace of my might, my royal
dwelling in the city of Calah, he shall not cast down, nor
shall he abandon it in the face of the foe. The doors, the
beams, the hooks which are located therein, he shall not
carry away, nor shall he establish (with them) another palace
in another city. Its beams he shall not break, its doorposts
he shall not tear out, the passage of its zini- gate 1 he shall not
block up, its door he shall not close. For his treasure-house
he shall not take it, nor shall he give it over to be a prison.
Men and women, who are captives, therein shall he not con-
fine (either) by order, or permit, or by non-interference. He
shall not destroy it, nor shall he enter another palace, whether
inside the city or outside, which is like my palace. The bolt
he shall not shatter, nor sprawl in its midst. No evil plot
shall he contrive, nor cause violence to be done to my or-
dained might or my royal dwelling.
494. Whosoever shall act according to the word of this
my memorial stele, shall not alter the words of my inscrip-
tion, may Assur and Enlil (Bel), the great gods who have
1 Cf. KAH, n, No. 11 (§ 33); postern gate?
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176 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
made my kingdom great, make Ms dominion great in every
land. In power, might and majesty may they lead him, may
they grant the land of the four quarters (of the world) as his
portion; fulness, plenty, and abundance may they establish
in Ms land.
495. But whosoever shall not act according to the word
of this my memorial stele, and shall alter the words of my
inscription or shall destroy this image, or shall remove it, or
shall smear it with grease, or shall bury it in the ground, or
shall burn it in the fire, or shall cast it into the water, or shall
place it so that beasts may tread upon it or cattle pass over
it, or shall prevent people from beholding and reading the
words of my inscription, or shall do violence unto my memo-
rial stele, so that none may behold it nor read it, or, because
of these curses, shall send a hostile foe, or an evil enemy, or a
prisoner, or any living human creature, and shall cause him
to take it, and he shall deface it, or scrape it, or shall change
its meaning to something else, or shall set Ms mind, take coun-
sel with Ms heart, to destroy this my image, and to alter the
words (of the inscription) — whether he be a scribe, or a sooth-
sayer, or any other man — and he shall say unto him, “De-
stroy that image ! According to the words thereof it shall not
be done!” and he shall hearken unto Ms words, or whosoever
shall devise an evil plot and against (the record of) my deeds
and my image shall direct it, and shall say, “I know (him)
not! Surely they ended his activity {lit., set his face to
rest) in the kingship, destroyed Ms image and broke it to
pieces, and altered the words of Ms mouth!”, or (whosoever)
against tMs my image shall contrive evil, may Assur, the
great lord, the Assyrian god, the lord of destinies, curse his
destiny, destroy Ms works and may he utter an evil curse
that the foundation of his kingdom may be uprooted, and
that his people may be destroyed, and may he cast distress,
want, and hunger, and famine upon Ms land! Whosoever
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 177
is angry with this my image, and utters ,
may Anu, Enlil (Bel), and Ea, the gods whom I obey, utter
a curse that he prosper not, through their mighty word ! And
a merciless [weapon(?)] that shall be unfavorable
and defeat and imprisonment^) may they establish in his
land!
IV. THE KURKH MONOLITH
496. The monolith from Kurkh (some twenty miles south of Diar-
bekr), now in the British Museum (No. 125), was set up to commemo-
rate the victories of the fifth year of Assur-n&sir-pal’s reign (text, HIR,
Plate 6; AKA, pp. 222 f.; Le Gac, op. cit., pp. 132 f.).
497. O Assur, Adad, Sin and Shamash, Ishtar, ye great
gods, who go before my hosts, (I) Assur-nasir-pal, the great
king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria,
trusting in Assur and Shamash, the great gods, my lords,
have gone hither and yon and have been without a rival
among the princes of the four quarters (of the world). The
exalted chief, who humbles all princes, who fears not the
battle; powerful despot, r who shatters the host 1 of the proud;
mighty 'hero, 11 who tramples on the neck of princes not sub-
missive to him; the mighty flood, whose onset cannot be op-
posed; the mighty who .... the king of kings, [lord
of lords 1 ; of war [and] battle, who casts down the
princes not submissive to him, who has brought under his
sway the totality of all peoples; the mighty king, who de-
stroys the wall of his enemies, who shatters the weapons of
princes in all the quarters (of the world); the wonderful
shepherd, ruler of all peoples; the king of all the four quar-
ters (of the world); the Sun of all peoples; son of Tukulti-
Urta, who ''slaughtered 1 those that disobeyed him, and cut
the throats of warriors; grandson of Adad-nirari, who
and founded cities.
498. When the lord Assur, who called me by my name and
1 Lit., torch.
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178 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
has made great my kingdom, made a revelation unto me and
commanded that I should march a second time against the
Nairf, on the first day of the month Simdnu, in the eponymy
of Sha-ilima-damka, I mustered my chariots and my armies,
I crossed the Tigris. In the region of my path in
the land of Kadish-haru(?) Into the city of
Abld I entered, from the city of Abki I departed. Five lions
before the city of Malhina(?) in the land of Hatte I brought
low with my terrible bow. Into the land of Kutmuhi I
entered, a palace in the city of Tiluli I consecrated, I re-
ceived the tribute of the land of Kutmuhi in the city of
Tiluli. From the land of Kutmuhi I departed, and I entered
the passes of the Ishtarati (the goddesses). In the city of
'Kibaki I spent the night, and I received cattle, sheep, wine,
vessels [of copper], as the tribute of the city of Kibaki. From
the city of Kibaki I departed, unto the city of Matiate I
drew near. The city of Matiate together with the villages
thereof I captured. 2,800 of their fighting men I brought low
with the sword; their great spoil I carried off. All the men
who had fled from before my weapons embraced my feet, in
their cities I caused them to dwell, (Rev.) tribute, taxes, and
overseers I imposed more stringently upon them. I made an
image of my own likeness, the power of my might I inscribed
thereon, in the city of Matiate I set it up. The city of
Bunnu — , the fortress of Masula (and) two cities of its neigh-
borhood, I captured. Three hundred of their fighting men I
cut down with the sword, their spoil I carried off, and their
cities I burned with fire. From the city of Matiate I departed,
in the city of Zazabuha I spent the night, I received the trib-
ute of the land of Kirhi, — cattle, sheep, wine, vessels of cop-
per, bowls and beakers of copper. From the city of Zazabuha
I departed, and I spent the night in the city of Irsia. The
city of Irsia I burned with fire. The tribute of the city of
Shfira, — cattle, sheep, wine, and vessels I received in the city
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 179
of Irsia. From the city of Irsia I departed, in the mountain
of Kashiaru I spent the night. The city of Madaranzu and
two cities of its neighborhood I captured, I slew the inhabit-
ants thereof, I carried off, I burned the cities with fire.
For six days in the midst of the mighty mountain of Kashi-
aru, a difficult region, not suited for the passage of chariots
and troops, with hatchets of iron I cut and with axes of
copper I hewed a way through, I brought over the chariots
and troops. In the cities which were alongside my trail
through the midst of the mountain of Kashiaru I received
cattle, sheep, and wine.
499. The mountain of Kashiaru I crossed, and for the
second time I went down into the land of Nairi. In the city
of Shigishu I spent the night. From the city of 'Shigishu] I
departed, I drew near to the city of Madara, the stronghold
of Lapturi, the son of Tubusi. The city was exceeding strong,
surrounded by four walls. I stormed the city. They took
fright at my mighty arms, and their property, their posses-
sions, and their sons I received from them as ’gifts 1 , and I
pardoned them and spared their lives. Tribute, taxes, and
overseers I imposed upon them. The city I destroyed, I laid
waste, I turned it into mounds and ruins. From the city of
Madara I departed, into the city of Tushha I entered. The
palace in the city of Tushha I consecrated, and the tribute
of the land of Nirdun, — horses, mules, vessels, beakers,
cattle, sheep, and wine, — I received in the city of Tushha.
[Sixty] strong, walled cities, at the foot of Mount Kashiaru,
belonging to Lapturi, the son of Tubusi, I destroyed, I laid
waste, I turned into mounds and ruins. With the help of
Assur, my lord, from the city of Tushha I departed. The
chariots and cavalry I took with me, and on rafts I
crossed the Tigris. All night I marched, I drew nigh unto
Pitura, the stronghold of the men of the city of Dirra. The
city was exceeding strong, was surrounded by two walls, its
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180 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
citadel was built like a mountain peak. (Trusting in) the
supreme might of Assur, my lord, with the masses of my
hosts and with my furious onslaught I battled [with them].
For two days, from before sunrise, I thundered against them
like Adad, (the god) of the storm, and I rained down flame
upon them. [With courage] and might my warriors flew
against them like Zu. 1 I captured the city, 800 of their war-
riors I struck down with the sword, r I cut off 1 their heads.
Many r of the men 1 I captured alive, the rest of them I
burned with fire, their heavy spoil I carried off. A pillar of
living (men and) of heads I built in front of their city gate,
[700] men I impaled on stakes in front of their city gate. The
city I destroyed, I devastated, I turned it into mounds and
ruins; their young men I burned in the flames. The city of
Kukunu, which is situated at the entrance {lit., mouth) of
the pass of the mountain of Matnu, I captured, 700 of their
warriors I struck down with the sword, their great spoil I
carried off.
500. Forty cities of the land of Dirra I captured, and I
slew their inhabitants, I carried off their spoil; forty men I
captured alive, the cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned
with fire. The (terrifying) splendor of my dominion I poured
over them. From the city of Pidara I departed, to the city
of Arbaki, of the land of Kirhi, which is on the inside, I went
down. At my royal splendor they were affrighted, and their
strong, walled cities they cast down; to save their lives, into
the mighty mountain of Matna 1 they went up. I marched
after them, 1,000 of their fighting men I slaughtered in the
midst of the steep mountain, with their blood I dyed the
mountain, with their corpses I filled the gullies and precipices
of the mountain. 200 men I captured alive, I cut off their
arms, and 2,000 of them as captives I carried away; their
cattle and sheep in countless numbers I carried off. Iiaia and
1 The mythological storm-bird.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 181
Salanibe, the strong cities of the land of Arbakki, I captured,
I slew their inhabitants and I carried off their spoil.
501. 250 strong, walled cities of the lands of Nairi I
destroyed, I laid waste, into mounds and ruins I turned them.
The harvest of their land I gathered, grain and straw I
heaped up in the city of Tushha. Against Amma-ba’li, the
son of Zamani, his {text has, their) nobles revolted and they
slew him; to avenge Ammi-pa’li I set out. Before the fury
of my arms and the terror of my dominion they were af-
frighted; and forty chariots equipped with the trappings of
men and horses, 460 horses broken to the yoke, two talents of
silver, two talents of gold, 100 talents of lead, 200 talents of
copper, 300 talents of copper, 1 300 talents of iron, 1,000
vessels of copper, 2,000 pans of copper, bowls and caldrons
of copper, 1,000 brightly colored garments (of wool) and
linen garments, tables of 5 ZL 4 -wood, couches made of ivory
and overlaid with gold, the treasures of his palace, 2,000
head of cattle, 5,000 sheep, his sister with her rich dowry,
the daughters of his nobles with their rich dowries I received.
Bur-ramanu, the rebel {lit., sinner), I flayed, I spread his
skin upon the wall of the city of Sinabu; 11 emu, his brother,
I appointed to the rulership; two minas of gold, 13 minas of
silver, 1,000 sheep, 2,000 {gar) of grain(?)
as tribute I imposed upon him. Sinabu and Tidu,
fortresses which Shalmaneser, king of Assyria a prince who
went before me, had seized (as an outpost) against the land
of Nairi, but which (the men of) the land of Arumu (Ara-
means) had taken by force, I recovered for myself; the As-
syrians who had held the fortresses of Assyria in the land of
Nairi, whom (the men of) the land of Arumu had trampled
under foot, I resettled in their cities and houses which lay
desolate, I caused them to dwell in peaceful habitations.
1 Scribal error. The Annals read: “100 talents of .... .”
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182 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
502. 15,000 Ahlame Arameans, ruled by (lit., of) Ammi-
ba’li, son of Zamani, I snatched away and brought to As-
syria. The harvest of the land of Nairl I gathered, in the
cities of Tushha, Damdamusi, Sinabu, and Tidi I heaped it
up for the forces of my land. The cities of the lands of Nirdun
and Luluta, the city of Dirra, and (the cities of) the lands of
Aggunu, Ulliba, Arbaki, and Nirbe I captured, I slew the
inhabitants thereof, I carried off their spoil. Their cities I
destroyed, I devastated, I turned into mounds and ruins;
feudal dues, forced labor, and overseers I imposed upon the
land of Nairi. My own governor I set over them; the per-
formance of service, the fury of my arms, the terror of my
dominion I poured out over the land of Nairi. The tribute of
the land of Shupre, — silver, gold, copper, lead, iron, beakers,
vessels, cattle, sheep, horses, I received in the city of Dam-
damusa. On my return march from the land of Nairi I cap-
tured the city of Shfira which is in the land of Hanigalbat.
900 of their fighting men I struck down with the sword, 2,000
prisoners I carried away, the city of Shtira I took for my own
possession.
V. STATUE INSCRIPTION
503. On the breast of a limestone statue of Assur-nasir-pal (Nim-
rud Gallery, British Museum, No. 89), which came from the temple of
Urta in Calah, stands this short inscription (text, IIIR, Plate 4, No. 8;
AKA, pp. 161 f.; Le Gac, op. cit., p. 201):
504. Assur-nhsir-pal, the great king, the mighty king,
king of the universe, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-Urta,
the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of
Assyria; (grand)son of Adad-nirari, the great king, the
mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; who has
conquered from beyond the Tigris as far as Mount Lebanon
and the Great Sea, and has brought into subjection at his
feet all the countries from the rising to the setting sun.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 183
VI. INSCRIPTION FROM THE PALACE AT CALAH
505. The text on limestone tablets commemorating the building
of the royal palace at Calah, now in the British Museum, is published
in AKA, pp. 173 f.
506. Palace of Assur-nasir-pal, the great king, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-
Urta, the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe,
king of Assyria; (grand)son of Adad-nirari, the great king,
the mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; the
valiant hero, who goes hither and yon, trusting in Assur, his
lord, and is without a rival among the princes of the four
quarters (of the world); the king, who from beyond the
Tigris and as far as Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, has
brought in submission at his feet the land of Lake, in its
entirety, and the land of Suhi, as far as the land of Rapiku;
whose hand has conquered from the source of the river Sub-
nat to the passes that lead to it. From the pass of Kirruri to
the land of Gilzani, and from beyond (Rev.) the Lower Zab
to the city of Til-bari, which is above the land of Zaban,
and from the city of Til-sha-Abtani to the city of Til-sha-
Zabdani, the cities of Hirimu and Harutu, fortresses of the
land of Karduniash (Babylonia), I have added unto the bor-
der of my land, and the broad lands of Naira, to their farthest
boundary, I have brought under my sway. The city of Calah
I have settled anew. I removed the ancient mound (tell)
and dug down to the water level, I went down 120 tipku,
and laid the foundations of my royal palace therein.
VH. INSCRIPTION FROM THE WALL OF CALAH
507. The inscription on a limestone tablet (and duplicates) from
Calah, now in the British Museum, follows (text, AKA, pp. 177 f.):
Assur-nasir-pal, the great king, the mighty king, king of
the universe, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-Urta, the great
king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria;
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184 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
(grand) son of Adad-nirari, the great king, the mighty king,
king of the universe, king of Assyria; the valiant hero who
goes hither and yon trusting in Assur, his lord, and is without
a rival among the princes of the four quarters (of the world) ;
the wonderful shepherd who fears not the battle; the mighty
flood who is without a conqueror; the king who has brought
to subjection those who were not submissive to him, and has
brought under his sway all 1 the nations; the mighty hero,
who tramples on the neck of his foes, and treads down all
enemies; who shatters the power of the strong; who goes
hither and yon trusting in the great gods, his lords, whose
hand has conquered all lands; who has brought under his
sway all mountain regions and has received their tribute,
taking hostages and establishing (his) might over all coun-
tries!
508. When Assur, the lord who called me by name and
who has made great my kingdom, placed in my lordly hand
his unsparing weapon, I cut down with the sword the
widespreading armies of the Lulume, in the midst of battle.
With the help of Shamash and Adad, the gods, my helpers, I
roared like Adad, the destroyer, over the armies of the Nairi-
lands, of Kirhi, of the Shubare, and of Nirbe (the passes).
(I am) the king who has brought in submission to his feet
from beyond the Tigris as far as the city of Carchemish which
is in the land of Hatte, the land of Lake, in its entirety, and
the land of Suhi, as far as the city of Rapiku, whose hand has
conquered from the source of the river Subnat to the passes
which lead to it. From the passes of Kirruri to the land of
Gilzani, and from beyond the Lower Zab to the city of Til-
bari, which is above the land of Zaban, as far as the cities of
Til-sha-Zabdani and Til-sha-Abtani, the cities of Hirimu and
Harutu, fortresses of the land of Karduniash (Babylonia), I
have added unto the border of my land, and from the pass of
1 Lit., the totality of all.
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 185
Babite to the land of Hashmar I have reckoned (the inhabit-
ants) as people of my land. In the lands which I have
brought under my sway, I have appointed my governors;
vassalage, service, and forced labor I have laid upon them.
509. Assur-nasir-pal, the exalted prince who fears the
great gods, the powerful lord, conqueror of cities and moun-
tains to their farthest border; the king of lords, who consumes
the wicked, the supreme, the unsparing, the destroyer of op-
position, the king of all princes, the king of kings, the exalted
priest, the chosen of Urta, the hero, the mighty one among
the great gods, the king who has walked righteously, trusting
in Assur and Urta, the gods, his helpers, and has brought in
submission at his feet proud mountain (regions) and (their)
princes, who were his enemies, — all of their lands; who has
fought with the enemies of Assur, north and south, and has
laid tribute and tax upon them!
510. Assur-nasir-pal, the mighty king, the chosen of Sin,
the favorite of Anu, the beloved of Adad, (Rev.) the mighty
one among the gods, the merciless weapon which overthrows
the land of his enemies, am I; the king who is mighty in
battle, the destroyer of cities and mountains, first in war,
the king of the four quarters (of the world), the conqueror
of his foes, mighty countries, and fierce mountain (eers), who
have brought in submission at my feet valiant and merciless
kings from the rising to the setting sun, bringing them under
one rule.
51 1. The former city of Calah, which Shalmaneser, king
of Assyria, the prince who went before me, had built, — that
city had fallen into decay and lay prostrate, and was turned
into mounds and ruins. That city I built anew, and the
peoples whom my hand had conquered, from the lands which
I had brought under my sway, from the land of Suhi, and
from the whole of the land of Lake, and from the land of
Sirku on the other side of the Euphrates, and from the
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186 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
farthest border of the land of Zamua, from Bit-Adini and
the land of Hatte, (the people of) Libuma, (ruler) of the land
of Hattini, I took and I settled them therein.
512. I dug a canal from the Upper Zab, and I named it
Pati-hegalli, and I laid out plantations round about it, and
all kinds of fruit and wine I offered unto Assur, my lord,
and (unto the deities of the other) temples of my land. The
ancient mound I removed, and dug down to the water-level,
I went down 120 tipku. The wall thereof I built anew; from
its foundation unto its coping I built and completed it. A
palace of cedar, cypress, juniper, boxwood, and mulberry,
and a palace of pistachio-wood, and of tamarisk, for my
royal dwelling and for my lordly pleasure, I founded therein;
beasts of the mountains and of the seas, in white limestone
and alabaster, I set up in its gate; I adorned it, I made it
glorious, and put copper clothes-hooks all around it. Door-
leaves of cedar, cypress, juniper, and mulberry I hung in its
gate. Chairs of maple and boxwood, and tables of ivory
with inlay, silver, gold, lead, copper and iron, the spoil of
my hand from the lands which I brought under my sway, in
great quantities I took and I placed therein. My memorial
stele I inscribed, and I set it in the wall thereof.
513. Let (some) future prince repair its ruins, let him re-
store my name and inscription to its place. (Then) Assur,
the great lord, and Ishtar, the lady of battle and combat, will
hear his prayers. But whosoever destroys my name, may
Assur and Urta look upon him in wrath, overthrow his king-
dom, take his throne from him, set him bound before his
enemies and blot out his name and his seed from the land!
Vm. INSCRIPTION ON COLOSSI FROM CALAH
514. An inscription on colossal bulls and lions from Calah has an
account of an expedition to the Mediterranean (also in the British
Museum) (text, AKA, pp. 189 f.; Le Gac, op. tit., pp. 172 f.).
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 187
515. {Col. I) Palace of Assur-n&sir-pal, priest of Assur,
favorite of Enlil (Bel) and of Urta, the beloved of Anu and
of Dagan, the strong one among the great gods, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-
Urta, the great king, the mighty king, the king of the uni-
verse, king of Assyria; (grand) son of Adad-nirari, (the great
king, the mighty king), 1 the king of the universe, king of
Assyria; the valiant hero who goes hither and yon trusting in
Assur, his lord, and is without a rival among the princes of
the four quarters (of the world); the wonderful shepherd
who fears not the battle; the mighty flood who is without a
conqueror; the king who has brought to subjection those who
were not submissive to him, and has brought under his sway
all J the nations; the mighty hero, who tramples on the neck
of his foes, and treads down all enemies, who shatters (Col.
II) the power of the strong; the king, who goes hither and
yon trusting in the great gods, his lords, whose hand has
conquered all lands, who has brought under his sway all
mountain regions and has received their tribute, taking hos-
tages and establishing his might over all countries!
516. When Assur, the lord, who called me by name and
has made great my kingdom, intrusted his merciless weapon
unto my lordly power, I cast down in battle the widespread-
ing troops of the Lulume. With the help of Shamash and
Adad, the gods, my helpers, I thundered over the troops of
the Nairi-lands, Kirhi, Shubare, and Nirib, like Adad, the
destroyer. (I am) the king, who from beyond the Tigris unto
Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, has brought in submis-
sion at his feet Lak6, to its farthest border, Suhi, as far as
the city of Rapiku, whose hand has conquered from the
source of the river Subnat to the land of Urartu (Armenia).
From the pass of Kirruri to the land of Gilzani, from beyond
1 So variants.
1 Lit., the totality of alL
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188 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
the Lower Zab to the city of Til-bari, which is above the land
of Zaban, together with the cities of Til-sha-Zabdani and Til-
sha-Abtani, Hirimu and Harutu, the fortresses of the land of
Karduniash (Baby Ionia), I have added to the border of my
land, (Col. Ill ) and (the inhabitants) from the passes of
Babite to the land of Hashmar I have reckoned as people of
my land. In the lands which I have brought under my sway,
I have appointed my governors, vassalage and forced labor
(I have laid upon them).
517. Assur-nasir-pal, the exalted prince, who fears the
great gods, the powerful lord, conqueror of cities and moun-
tain regions, to the farthest border, the king of lords, who
consumes the wicked, who is crowned with splendor, who is
fearless in battle, the mighty, the unsparing, the destroyer of
opposition, the king of glory, the shepherd (and) protector of
the (four) quarters (of the world), the king, who by the word
of his mouth destroys mountains and seas, who by his
lordly attack has forced valiant and merciless kings, from
the rising to the setting sun, to acknowledge one supremacy.
I have crossed mighty mountains, I have spied out difficult
paths into (every) quarter of all of them, I have poured down
(lit., rained) a flame of spears (Col. IV) upon the princes of all
cities; — at the word of my mouth they were terrified and be-
sought my lordly power.
518. I am Assur-nasir-pal, the wise, the knowing, the in-
telligent, quick of understanding (through) the wisdom which
Ea, king of the Deep, has apportioned unto me. The great
gods of heaven and earth in their steadfast hearts made a
decree and my sovereignty, my dominion, and my power
went forth at their holy word; to conquer, to subdue, and to
rule mighty mountains and highlands they commanded me
in their wrath. At the command of Assur, the great lord, my
lord, and Urta, who loves my priesthood, I marched to Mount
Lebanon, to the Great Sea I went up. In the Great Sea I
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 189
washed my weapons, and I made offerings unto my gods. At
that time I received the tribute of the kings of the seacoast,
of the Tyreans, the Sidonians, the Amorites, the Gebalites,
the Mahalateans, the Kaisites, the Maisites, and of the city
of Arvad, which is in the midst of the sea, — silver, gold, lead,
copper, vessels of copper, garments of brightly colored wool,
linen garments, ivory, and a nahiru, a creature of the sea. 1 I
received at that time from them great and small pagate,
together with their tribute. Unto my land of Assyria I
brought them, and in the city of Calah I bred great herds of
them, letting all the people of my land behold them.
519. By my outstretched arm (lit., hand) and impetuous
courage, fifteen mighty lions from the mountains and the
forests I seized with my hand, and fifty lion-cubs I carried
away, and, in the city of Calah and the palaces of my land,
put them in cages, and I caused them to bring forth their
cubs in abundance, urmindinash I captured alive with my
hands, (and) herds of wild oxen, elephants and lions, and
MAL-SH I R-birds, male and female pagate, wild asses,
gazelles, stags, asate (wolves?), panthers, and senkurri, all the
beasts of plain and mountain, I collected in my city of
Calah, letting all the people of my land behold them.
520. O future prince among the kings, my sons, whom
Assur shall call by name, or future peoples, or servants of the
king, or noble, or high official: thou shalt not abuse these
creatures before Assur. Urta and Nergal, who love my priest-
hood, intrusted to me the wild creatures of the field, com-
manding me to follow the chase. Thirty elephants from am-
bush I slew, and 257 mighty wild oxen in my hunting(?)-
chariots [and by my lordly attack I brought down with (my)
weapons, and 370 mighty lions, like caged birds, I slew with
the javelin].
1 The nahiru is called a "sea-horse” (cf. § 298).
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i go ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
IX. ADDRESS TO ISHTAR ON LION FROM CALAH
521. An inscription on a colossal lion from Calah, now in the
British Museum, is an address to Ishtar (text, HR, Plate 66 and AKA,
pp. 206 f.).
522. To the Lady of the land, the great lady, first in
heaven and on earth, the powerful queen of all the gods,
whose word is honored (weighty) , whose form is sur-
passing among the goddesses, the bright being, who like
Shamash, her full brother, surveys the ends of heaven
(and earth) alike, the powerful one (among) the Anunnaki,
the first-born daughter of Anu, the exceedingly great one
of the gods, who rules her enemies, going ahead, stirring up
the seas and troubling the hills; the strong one of the Igigi,
the lady of battle and combat, without whom the scepter(?)
in E-sharra is unfavorable, who allows victory to be attained,
who causes the heart to attain its desire, lover of righteous-
ness, who hearkens unto my prayer, who accepts supplica-
tion, who receives petitions; — unto Ishtar, the bright, the
perfect, the mighty one, who surveys heaven and earth,
whose name is named in all the regions of the world, the be-
stower of life, the merciful goddess, whose compassion(?) is
gracious, who dwells in the city of Calah, my lady, (I) Assur-
nasir-pal, (do pray): the king of hosts, the king without a
rival, the king of all the four regions of the world, the Sun of
all peoples, the favorite of Enlil (Bel) and Urta, the beloved
of Anu and Dagan, the mighty one of the great gods, the
humble one, who is dear to thy heart, the prince who is thy
favorite, whose priesthood is pleasing unto thy great divinity
and whose (kingdom) thou hast firmly established!
523. Here follow portions of the Standard Inscription (§§ 486 ff.)
engraved on the body and legs of the lion, and beneath it, after the
record of the rebuilding of Calah, is an enumeration of the temples
built in that city by the king.
524. The temple of Enlil (Bel) and Urta, the temple of
Ea and Damkina, the temple of Adad and Shala, the temple
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 191
of Sin, the temple of Gula, the temple of Belit-m&ti (“Lady of
the Land”), — the temples of the great gods, I founded there-
in.
X. REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE OF URTA
AT CAL AH
525. The following text records the rebuilding of the temple of
Urta at Calah (text, AKA, pp. 209 f.):
Assur-nasir-pal, the great king, the mighty king, king of
the universe, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-Urta, the great
king, etc. 1 The ancient mound I destroyed, I dug down to
the water level, and 120 tipki I went down into the depths.
The temple of Urta, my lord, I founded therein. When I
had fashioned that image of Urta, (the like of) which had
not existed in former times, according to the planning of my
own heart, as the protecting image of his great divinity, from
the choicest mountain stone (and) shining gold, I accounted
it as my great god of the city of Calah and established his
feasts in the months Shabatu and Ulitlu. I built that temple of
brickwork, and placed the shrine of Urta, my lord, therein.
When the lord Urta in his holy shrine, in his dwelling, the
of his heart’s desire, takes up his habitation forever,
. . . . , may he rejoice, may he command that my days may
be long, and order that my years may be many, and may he
love my [life?], in battle and combat, in the place where I
would be, may he cause me to attain the desire of my [heart] !
XI. RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE OF ISHTAR,
QUEEN OF KIDMURI
526. Among the many temples at Calah, rebuilt after the restora-
tion of that city, was that of Ishtar, queen of Kidmuri. This event was
commemorated by a tablet inscription (text, AKA, pp. 162 f.) and a
dedication on a glazed ornament (published by Le Gac, op. cit., p. 203).
527. 1. Assur-nasir-pal, the great king, the mighty king,
king of the universe, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-Urta, the
1 Ll. 2-15 are the same as the introduction of the Standard Inscription, §§486-88.
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i 9 2 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
great king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of
Assyria; (grand) son of Adad-nirari, the great king, the
mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; the valiant
hero, who goes hither and yon, trusting in Assur, his lord,
and is without a rival among the princes of the four quarters
(of the world) ; the king, who from beyond the Tigris (and)
as far as Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea, has brought in
subjection at his feet the land of Lake, in its entirety, the
land of Suhi, as far as the city of Rapiku, whose hand has
conquered from the source of the river Subnat to the passes
which lead to it. From the pass of Kirruri to the land of
Gilzani, and from beyond the Lower Zab to the city of Tib
bari, which is above the city of Zaban, and from the city of
Til-sha-Abtani to the city of Til-sha-Zabdani, the cities of
Hirimu and Harutu, fortresses of the land of Karduniash
(Babylonia), I have added unto the border of my land, the
broad lands of Nairi to their farthest border I have brought
under my sway. The city of Calah I have restored (as my
capital).
528. When the temple of Ishtar, the queen of Kidmuri,
which had existed in former days under the kings, my fathers,
had been destroyed and had been turned into mounds and
ruins, in the wisdom of my heart, with which Ea, king of
the Deep, the wise and understanding (god), had endowed
me, I built that temple of Kidmuri anew for her. The pro-
tecting image of Ishtar, queen of Kidmuri, (Rev.) I fashioned
out of fine gold and caused her to dwell in her shrine. Her
offerings and her cult I established for her.
529. O thou future prince among the kings, my sons,
whom Assur shall call by name, (when) thou shalt behold
(this) vision, restore the imperfections thereof, into a place
(unsheltered from) the sun thou shalt not cause her to enter.
Thou shalt not blot out my name which is inscribed (hereon)
but thou shalt inscribe thy own name by the side of my name,
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 193
and shalt restore it unto its place and thou shalt repair the
ruins of this temple. (Then) Assur, the great lord, Shamash,
judge of heaven and earth, and Ishtar, queen of Kidmuri,
will hear his prayers and will surely lengthen his days! In
the war of kings, upon the field of battle, may they cause him
to attain to the desire of (lit., all that is in) his heart! Plenty
and luxurious abundance may he behold in his land! Who-
soever blots out my name (and) inscription, and writes his
own name (in its place), or carries off this memorial stele and
sets it in another place, or casts it into the water, or burns it
with fire, or covers it with earth, or places it in a dungeon, —
may Assur, the great lord, and Adad, ruler of heaven and
earth, and Irra (Girra), the lord of storm and of destruction,
overthrow his kingdom, take his throne from him; may they
set him in fetters before his foe; want, hunger, and famine
may they establish in his land, and may they blot out his
name (and) his seed from the land.
530. 2. (Le Gac, op. cit., p. 203) Palace of [Assur]-nasir-
pal, [king of] Assyria, son of Tukulti-Urta, king of Assyria.
From the temple of Kidmuri of Calah.
XII. MISCELLANEOUS BUILDING INSCRIPTIONS
FROM CALAH
531. 1. A large number of inscribed bricks from Calah (and
from Assur) have found their way into different museums. The text
is a record of the king’s titles and genealogy (see AKA, pp. 155 f.;
KAH, II, Nos. 93 and 95; Lehmann-Haupt, Materialien, No. 9).
Palace of Assur-nasir-pal, king of the universe, king of
Assyria, son of Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, king of
Assyria, (grand)son of Adad-nirari, king of the universe,
king of Assyria.
532. 2. In more detail are given the titles and genealogy of the
king in inscriptions found on clay bowls (text, AKA, pp. 157 f.).
Assur-nasir-pal, viceroy of Enlil (Bel), the priest of Assur,
the great king, the mighty king, the king of the universe,
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194 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-Urta, the great king, the
mighty king, the king of the universe, king of Assyria; son of
Adad-nirari, the great king, the mighty king, the king of the
universe, king of Assyria.
533- 3- The inscription on a clay fist, now in the Berlin Museum,
is published by Lehmann-Haupt, Materialien, p. 23 (cf . Le Gac, op. cit.,
p. 203C).
Palace of Assur-nasir-pal, king of Assyria, son of Tukulti-
Urta, king of Assyria, (grand) son of Adad-nirari, king of
Assyria. Property of the temple of Urta.
534. 4. From the Ziggurat (temple tower) at Calah came the
short inscription, published by Le Gac, op. cit., p. 202 B.
Palace(?) of Assur-nasir-pal, the great king, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria. Son of Tukulti-
Urta, king of the universe, king of Assyria. (From) the
structure of the ziggurat of Calah.
XIII. BALAWAT (IMGUR-BfiL) INSCRIPTIONS
535. From Tell-BaUtwit (ancient Imgur-Bel) came the altar
(Nimrud Gallery, No. 71) and the coffer containing two limestone
slabs, also in the British Museum. The text from the first is published
in AKA, p. 160; of the latter, in ibid., pp. 167 f.
536. i. Unto Enlil (Bel), king of heaven the
bounds (of heaven and earth), who troubles the hills, who
dwells in the temple of Kidmuri, the great lord, my lord, I,
Assur-nasir-pal, priest of Assur, son of Tukulti-Urta, priest
of Assur, for my life, length of days, many years, the welfare
of my seed and land, have presented (this altar).
537. 2. (Obv.) Assur-nasir-pal, the great king, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; son of Tukulti-
Urta, the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe,
king of Assyria; (grand) son of Adad-nirari, the great king,
the mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; the
valiant hero, who, trusting in Assur, his lord, goes hither and
yon, and is without a rival among the princes of the four
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 195
quarters (of the world); the king, who from beyond the
Tigris (and) as far as Mount Lebanon and the Great Sea,
has brought in submission at his feet the land of Lak6, in
its entirety, the land of Suhi, as far as the city of Rapiku.
From the source of the river Subriat to the passes of Kirruri )
together with the land of Gilzani, from beyond the Lower
Zab as far as the city of Til-bari, which is above the land of
Zaban, from the city of Til-sha-Abtani to the city of Til-sha-
Zabdani, the cities of Hirimu and Harutu, fortresses of the
land, of Karduniash and the broad lands of Nairi, to their
farthest boundary, I have brought under my sway.
538. This city I have settled anew, and have called its
name Imgur-Bel. This temple T founded on the ruins of
my palace, 1 and an image of Mahir, my lord, I have set up
therein. I marched unto Mount Lebanon and cut down
beams of cedar, cypress and juniper, with the beams of cedar
I roofed this temple, door-leaves of cedar I fashioned, and
with a sheathing (bands) of copper I bound them, and I hung
them in its gates. This temple I adorned and I made glorious,
and I caused the great lord Mahir to dwell therein. I in-
scribed a memorial stele and in his temple I set it up.
539. O future prince among the kings, my sons, whom
Assur shall call by name, when this temple falls to ruins,
and thou shalt see the memorial stele and shalt read it, re-
store its ruins, write thy name beside my name and restore
it unto its place. (Then) may Assur, the lord, the prince, and
Mahir, who dwells in this temple, cast their gracious glance
upon him, surely his name and his seed may they establish
in their land! Whosoever shall see (this) memorial stele, and
shall say “What is this?”, may Ishtar, the lady of battle and
combat, shatter his weapons, and take his throne from him!
But whosoever shall see this memorial stele, and shall read
it, shall anoint it with oil, offer sacrifices, and restore it to its
1 Or, with King, with bricks from my palace.
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ig 6 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
place, Assur, the great lord, will hear his prayers, and in the
war of kings, upon the field (Edge) of battle, will cause him to
attain to the desire of (lit., all that is in) his heart.
540. In the entrance to a palace or temple (at Imgur-Bel, Bala.-
wat?) of Assur-nasir-pal stood gates covered with bands of bronze on
which were depicted scenes from the king’s campaigns and hunting
expeditions. These bronzes are not nearly so well preserved as the
famous Balawat Gates of Assur-nksir-pal’s son. Only two bands have
been published, as an Appendix to King’s Bronze Reliefs from the
Gates of Shalmaneser, pp. 35 f., and Plates LXXVIII-LXXX.
541. On Band I, behind the king and above his chariot and body-
guard, stands the text:
Palace of Assur-nasir-pal, king of the universe, king of
Assyria, son of Tukulti-Urta, king of Assyria, (grand) son of
Adad-nirari, king of Assyria.
542. Above the officials who are introducing captives into the
presence of the king are the words:
Captives from the city of Elipi, of .
543. Band II depicted Assur-nasir-pal at the capture of a city of
Bit-Iahiri.
The city of -su, a city of Bit-Iahiri, I cap-
tured.
XIV. BUILDING TEXTS FROM NINEVEH
544. On some bowl fragments and on a brick we have the record
of the rebuilding of Ishtar’s temple at Nineveh {AKA, pp. 158 f. and
156 f.; Le Gac, op. tit., p. 200).
543. 1. Assur-nasir-pal, viceroy of Enlil, the priest of
Assur, the son of Tukulti-(Urta, viceroy of Enlil, priest of
Assur; son) of Adad-nirari, the viceroy of Enlil, priest of
Assur. When Emashmash, the temple of Ishtar of Nineveh,
my lady, [which Shamshi’-Adad, the priest of Assur, the
prince who lived (lit., went) before me, had built, had fallen
into decay, I rebuilt it, from its foundation to its roof, I
adorned it, made it glorious, I r made it greater 1 than it was
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 197
before. A memorial stele I inscribed and [set it up therein].
Let (some) [future prince] repair its ruins, and my name
which is inscribed (thereon) [let him restore] to its place!
546. 2. Palace of Assur-nasir-pal, [king of the universe,
king of Assyria], son of Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe,
king of [Assyria], son of Adad-nirari, king of the universe,
king of [Assyria], who has built and [has completed] the
temple of Ishtar of [Nineveh].
547. 3. A clay fist in the British Museum contains a dedicatory
inscription to Ishtar of Nineveh ( Catalogue Kouyunjik Collection,
Supplement, p. 75).
Assur-nasir-pal, viceroy of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of
Tukulti-Urta, viceroy of Enlil, priest of Assur, (grand)son of
Adad-nirari, viceroy of Enlil, priest of Assur.
Property of the temple of Ishtar of Nineveh.
548. 4. At Nineveh also stood a statue of the king inscribed with
the customary high-sounding phrases (K 2763; Le Gac, op. cit., pp.
193 f-)-
Assur, the great lord, king of all the great gods, ....
lord of lands; Bel (Enlil), the supreme father of the gods, Ea,
king of the Deep, lord of wisdom, the wise; Adad, the sur-
passingly great, the lord Shamash, judge of
heaven and earth, director of all . . . the great gods who de-
cree destiny (lit., destinies), who make great my kingdom.
549. Assur-nasir-pal, the exalted prince, who fears the
great gods
Conqueror of cities and mountain regions, all of them
who consumes the proud unsparing
warrior, destroyer of opposition, lord of lords, shepherd of
kings exalted who at the word
of Assur and Urta the peoples, the subjects
of Enlil has a lofty tiara
Assur-nasir-pal, the mighty king
hero, who at
the brave
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198 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
From the king’s statue which was at the side of the moat
of the city.
XV. INSCRIPTIONS FROM ASSUR
550. At Assur the German excavators found two inscriptions of
Assur-n&sir-pal on stone. The first (KAH, I, No. 25) consists merely of
the titles and genealogy of the king, followed by a summary of his con-
quests; the second (KAH, II, No. 94) records the restoration of the
temple of Sin and Shamash at Assur.
551. 1. Palace of Assur-nasir-pal, the great king, the
mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, son of
Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, king of Assyria, (grand)-
son of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, king of Assyria;
conqueror of the lands of the Nairl in their entirety; from the
pass(es) of Kirruri to GiMni, from the source of the Subnat
to the land of Shupre, my hand conquered. From beyond the
Tigris as far as Hatti, — Lake, in its entirety, Suhu as far as
Rapiku, from the pass(es) of Babite as far as Hashmar,
Zamua in its entirety, from the other side of the Lower Zab
as far as Til-abari, which is above Zaban, (and) as far as
Til-Sha-Abatani; from Til-Sha-Abatani to Til-Sha-Zabdani,
the cities of Hirimu, Harutu, fortresses of Karduniash, to
the border of my land I restored. In the lands and moun-
tains which I brought under my sway, I appointed my gov-
ernors; their tribute I received, service they rendered.
552. 2 as far as Mount Lebanon
from the sources of the Subnat as far
as [Urartu, ] the passes on the inside, my
hand [conquered ] the whole of the land of
Lake, of Suhi as far as Rapiku, f I brought in
submission at my feet 1 . From the passes of Babite,
even to Hashmar, Zamua, in its entirety, across
the Lower Zab Til-abari, which is above Zaban.
Til-sha-Abatani and Til-sha-Zabdani
, Hirimu 1 , Harutu, fortresses of Babylonia (Kar-
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ASSUR-NASIR-PAL 199
duniash), to the f border of my land I restored]
mountains (Rev.) to my city
Assur, [the temple of Sin] and Shamash, the great gods, my
lords, which the kings who went before me had built afore-
time, that [temple] had fallen to decay. I 'cleared 1 its site, I
reached its 'foundation 1 ; from its foundation to its top [I re-
built], I completed it. The dwelling of Sin and Shamash, the
great gods, [my lords] anew I placed therein. Sin and Sha-
mash, my memorial stele
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CHAPTER XII
SHALMANESER III
I. THE “BLACK OBELISK” INSCRIPTION
553. In the inscription on the famous “Black Obelisk” of the
British Museum we are in possession of what was in all probability the
final edition of the annals of another Assyrian conqueror, namely,
Shalmaneser III (858-824 b.c.). This black alabaster monolith came
from the central building at Nimrud (Calah), and is inscribed on its
four sides with the record of the king’s military achievements from
the year of accession to the thirty-first year. In addition to this in-
scription there are twenty small reliefs, with annotations, depicting
the payment of the tribute of five conquered regions.
554. The text of the obelisk was published in Layard’s Inscriptions,
Plates 87 f., and has been translated many times. 1 The inscription on
the fragment of a stone slab found at Kalat Sherkat seems to have
been a duplicate of the obelisk inscription. This text, which breaks
off at the end of the account of the campaign of the second year, is
published in KAII, I, No. 77.
Invocation of the gods. Titles and genealogy of the king ( ll . 7 -
21)
555. Assur, the great lord, king of all of the great gods;
Anu, king of the Igigi and Anunnaki, the lord of lands; Enlil
(Bel), the exalted, father of the gods, the creator; Ea, king of
the Deep (Apsu), who determines destiny; [Sin], king of the
tiara, exalted in splendor; [Adad, 1 mighty, pre-eminent, lord
of abundance (plenty); Shamash, (judge 1 of heaven and
earth, director of all (things) ; fMarduk, 1 master of the gods,
lord of law (omens); Urta, valiant (ruler) of the Igigi and
the Anunnaki, the almighty god; Nergal, the ready (perfect),
king of battle ; Nusku, bearer of the shining scepter, the god
* See especially Amiaud and Sheil, Les Inscriptions de Salmanasar 12 .
200
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SHALMANESER III 201
who renders decisions; Ninlil, spouse of Bel, mother of the
[great] gods; Ishtar, first in heaven and on earth, who fills
full the measure of bravery; — the great [gods], who ordain
destiny (destinies), who have made great my kingdom, (I in-
voke).
556 . Shalmaneser, king of all peoples, lord, priest of As-
sur, mighty king, king of all the four regions (of the world),
Sun of all peoples, despot of all lands; son of Assur-nasir-pal,
the high priest, whose priesthood was acceptable to the gods
and who brought in submission at his feet the totality of
the countries (of earth) ; glorious offspring of Tukulti-Urta,
who slew all of his foes and overwhelmed them like a hurri-
cane (deluge).
Year of accession. Against the city of Aridu (ll . 22-26 )
557. At the beginning of my reign, when I solemnly took
my seat upon the royal throne, I mobilized my chariots and
troops, the passes of the land of Simesi I entered; Aridu, the
stronghold of Ninni, I captured.
Year 1. To the Mediterranean (U. 26-31)
558. In my first year of reign I crossed the Euphrates at
its flood. To the shore of the sea of the setting sun I ad-
vanced. I washed my weapons in the sea; I offered sacrifices
to my gods. I climbed Mount Amanus; I cut cedar and
cypress timbers. I climbed Mount Lallar, (and) there set up
my royal image.
Year 2. Against the cities of Ahuni and the city of Dabigu (ll.
32 - 35 )
559. In my second year of reign I drew nigh to Til-bar-
zip (written, barzaib). The cities of Ahuni, son of Adini, I cap-
tured. In his city I shut him up. The Euphrates I crossed
at its flood; I captured Dabigu, a fortified city of Hatti, to-
gether with the cities of its neighborhood.
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202 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Year 3. Against Ahuni and back to Assyria by way of Armenia
(11. 35-44 )
560. In my third year of reign Ahuni, son of Adini, took
fright before my mighty weapons, and forsook Til-barzip, his
royal city. I crossed the Euphrates. The city of Ana-Assur-
utir-asbat, which lies on the other side of the Euphrates, on
the Sagur River, (and) which the Hittite people called Pitru,
I seized for myself. On [my] return, I entered the passes of
the land of Alzi; the lands of Alzi, 'Suhni 1 , Daiaeni, Tumme,
Arzashkunu, the royal city of Arame, the Armenian (king),
Gilzanu, (and) Hubushkia (I conquered).
Year 4. Defeat and capture of Ahuni. Against the land of Zam-
ua (ll. 45-52)
561. In the eponymy of Daian-Assur I departed from
Nineveh, crossed the 'Euphrates 1 at its flood, pursued (lit.,
went after) Ahuni, son of Adini. He made Shitamrat, a
mountain peak, which is on the bank of the Euphrates, his
stronghold. The mountain peak I stormed and captured.
Ahuni, together with his gods, his chariots, his horses, his
sons, his daughters, his troops, I carried off and brought
(them) to my city Assur. In that same year I crossed Mount
Kullar (and) descended against Zamua, which lies inside.
The cities of Nikdiara 1 of the city of Ida (and) Nikdima , 1 1
captured.
Year 5. Into the Kashiari hills (ll. 52-54)
562. In my fifth year of reign I went up against Mount
Kashiari. Eleven strongholds I captured. Assur-itti-sheruri-
ai I shut up in his city. His many gifts I received from him.
Year 6. Against the cities on the Balih, then against Hadad-
ezer and his allies (ll. 54-62)
563. In my sixth year of reign I drew near to the cities
on the banks of the Balih. Giammu, governor of their cities,
1 Personal names.
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SHALMANESER III 203
they slew. I entered Til-mar-ahi. The Euphrates I crossed at
its flood. I received gifts from all of the kings of Hatti. At
that time Hadad-ezer, [king] of Aram (? Damascus), Irhuleni,
the Hamathite, together with the kings of Hatti and the sea-
coast, relied on each other’s strength and came out against me
to offer battle {lit., to make battle and war). At the com-
mand of Assur, the great lord, my lord, I fought with them, I
accomplished their defeat. Their chariots, their cavalry, their
weapons of war, I took from them. 20,500 of their warriors I
slew with the sword.
Year 7. Against Til-abne. To the source of the Tigris (ll. 67-72)
564. In my seventh year of reign I marched against the
cities of Ha — rat, the Til-abneite. I captured Til-abne, his
royal city, together with the cities of its neighborhood. I ad-
vanced to the source of the Tigris, where the waters gush
forth {lit., where the coming forth of the waters is situated).
The weapon of Assur I washed therein, I offered sacrifices to
my gods, I spread a gladsome banquet. I fashioned a heroic
image of my royal self. The glory of Assur, my lord, every one
of my deeds of bravery, which I performed in (different)
lands, I wrote thereon, and set it up there.
Year 8. Against the rebels in Babylonia {ll. 73-76)
565. In my eighth year of reign there revolted against
Marduk-zakir-shumi, king of Karduniash (Babylonia), his
younger brother, Marduk-bel-usate, (and) they divided the
land totally. To avenge Marduk-zakir-shumi, I marched
forth and captured Me-Tumat.
Year 9. Second campaign into Babylonia {ll. 77-84 )
566. In my ninth 1 year of reign I marched against Ak-
kad a second time. I besieged Gananate. As for Marduk-
1 For a variant account of the ninth, tenth, and eleventh years see the text of a
fragment from Assur (§§ 666 S.).
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204 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
bel-usate, the terrifying splendor of Assur (and) Marduk
overcame him and he went up into the mountains to save his
life. I pursued him. Marduk-bel-usate (and) the rebel army
officers who were with him, I cut down with the sword. To
the great cities I marched. I offered sacrifices in Babylon,
Borsippa, (and) Kutha. I presented gifts to the great gods.
I went down to Chaldea. Their cities I captured. The gifts
of the kings of Chaldea I received. The terror of my arms
overpowered (the enemy) as far as the Bitter Sea.
Year io. Against Sangara of Carchemish {ll . 85-86)
567. In my tenth year of reign I crossed the Euphrates
for the eighth time. The cities of Sangara of Carchemish I
captured. Against the cities of Arame 1 1 drew near. Arne, his
royal city, together with 100 of his small cities, I captured.
Year 11. Against Hadad-ezer and his allies {ll. 87-89)
568. In my eleventh year of reign I crossed the Euphrates
for the ninth time. Countless cities I captured. Against the
cities of the land of Hamath, I descended. 89 cities I cap-
tured. Hadad-ezer of Aram (? Damascus) (and) twelve kings
of the land of Hatti stood by each other. I accomplished their
overthrow.
Year 12. Against Pahar.hubuna {ll. 89-90) *
569. In my twelfth year of reign I crossed the Euphrates
for the tenth time. I marched against the land of Pakar-
hubuna. I carried off their spoil.
Year 15. Against Iaeti {ll. 90-91)
570. In my thirteenth year of reign, I went up against the
land of Iaeti. Their spoil I carried off.
»
Year 14. Against the Syrian allies {ll. 92-93)
571. In my fourteenth year of reign I mustered (all the
resources of my) land. I crossed the Euphrates. Twelve kings
' 1 Personal name.
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SHALMANESER HI 205
advanced to meet me. I battled with them, I accomplished
their overthrow.
Year 15. To the sources of the Tigris and Euphrates ( 11 . 92-93)
572. In my fifteenth year of reign I advanced to the
sources of the Tigris (and) Euphrates. I set up (i.e., carved)
my royal image upon their cliffs.
• Year 16. Eastward against Namri (ll. 93-95)
573. In the sixteenth year of reign I crossed the Azaba
River. Against the land of Namri I marched. Marduk-
mudammik, king of Namri, went (up into the mountains) to
save his life. His goods, his armies, his gods, I carried to As-
syria. Ianzfi, son of Hanban, I set up as king over them.
Year 17. To Mount Antanus (ll. 96-97 )
574. In my seventeenth year of reign I crossed the Eu-
phrates. I went up on Mount Amanus; I cut cedar timbers.
Year 18. Against Hazael of Syria (ll. 97-99 )
575. In my eighteenth year of reign I crossed the Eu-
phrates for the sixteenth time. Hazael of Aram (? Damascus)
came forth to battle. 1,121 of his chariots, 470 of his cavalry,
together with his camp, I captured from him.
Year 19. To Mount Amanus (ll. 99-100 )
576. In my nineteenth year of reign I crossed the Eu-
phrates for the eighteenth time. I went up on Mount Ama-
nus. I cut cedar timbers.
Year 20. Against Kile (Cilicia) (ll. 100-102)
577. In my twentieth year of reign I crossed the Euphra-
tes for the twentieth time. I descended against the land of
Kaue. Their cities I captured. Their spoil I carried off.
Year 21. Against Hazael (ll. 102-4)
578. In my twenty-first year of reign I crossed the Eu-
phrates for the twenty-first time. I advanced against the
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206 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
cities of Hazael of Aram (? Damascus). Four of his cities I
/ captured. The gifts of the Tyrians, Sidonians, and Gebalites,
j/ I received.
Year 22. Against Tabal (ll. 104-7)
579. In my twenty-second year of reign I crossed the Eu-
phrates for the twenty-second time. Against the land of
Tabal I descended. At that time I received the presents of 24
kings of Tabal. To Mount fTunni 1 (Taurus), the silver moun-
tain, 1 and Mount Mull, the marble mountain, I advanced.
Year 23. Against Milid (ll. 107-10 )
580. In my twenty-third year of reign I crossed the Eu-
phrates. Uetash, the royal city of Lalla of the land of Milid, I
captured. The kings of the land of Tabal came and I received
their gifts.
Year 24. Against Namri (ll. 110-26)
581. In my twenty-fourth year of reign T crossed over the
Lower Zab. I advanced through the land of Hashimur, to the
land of Namri I descended. Ianzu, king of Namri, took
fright before my mighty weapons, and went up (into the
mountains) to save his life. I captured Sihishalah, Bit-tamul,
Bit-sakki, Bit-shedi, his strong cities. His warriors I slew,
his spoil I carried off. (His) cities I destroyed, I devastated,
I burned with fire. The rest of them went up into the moun-
tains. The mountain peak I stormed and captured. I slew
their warriors. I brought down their booty, their goods. I de-
parted from Namri. I received the gifts of 27 kings of the land
of Parsua. From Parsua I departed. To the lands of Messi(?)
and of the Medes, the lands of Araziash and Harhar I
descended. The cities of Kuakinda, Tarzanabi(P), Esamul,
Kinablila, together with the cities of their neighborhood, I
1 The silver mountain is mentioned by Sargon of Akkad (cf. Poebel, Historical
Texts, p. 178).
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SHALMANESER III 207
captured. I slew their warriors. I carried off their spoil.
(Their) cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
My royal image I set up in the land of Harhar. Ianztl, son of
Haban, together with his great wealth, his gods, his sons, his
daughters, his many soldiers, I carried off and brought to
Assyria.
Year 25. Against Ktie (1 Cilicia ) ( 11 . 126-31)
582. In my twenty-fifth year of reign I crossed the Eu-
phrates at its flood. The gifts of the kings of Hatti, all of
of them, I received. Mount Amanus I crossed over, to the
cities of Katei of the land of Kaue, I descended. Timur, his
royal city, I stormed and captured. I slew their warriors. I
carried off -their spoil. Countless cities I destroyed, I devas-
tated, I burned with fire. On my return, Mftru, the royal
city of Arame, son of Agusi,I seized as a stronghold for myself.
Its thresholds(?) 1 1 strengthened, I built therein a palace for
my royal abode.
Year 26. Against the Cilician cities ( 11 . 132-41)
583. In my twenty-sixth year of reign I traversed Mount
Amanus for the seventh time, and for the fourth time I
marched against the cities of Katei of Kaue. Tanakun, the
royal city of Tulka, I besieged. The terrifying splendor of
Assur, my lord, overpowered him. They came out and
seized my feet. I received his hostages; silver, gold, iron,
cattle, sheep, as his tribute I received from him. From Tana-
kun I departed, against Lamenash I advanced. The people
(of that land) took to their heels, they climbed a steep moun-
tain. The mountain peak I stormed, I captured. I slew their
warriors. Their spoil, their cattle, their sheep, I brought
down out of the mountain. Their cities I destroyed, I devas-
tated, I burned with fire. To Tarsus (Tarzi) I advanced.
They seized my feet. Silver, gold, (as) their tribute I re-
1 See §§ 85 and 383.
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208 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
ceived. Kirri, brother of Kattei, I set up as king over them.
On my return I went up on Mount Amanus, I cut cedar tim-
bers, I carried (them) away and brought them to my city,
Assur.
Year 27. Against Armenia { 11 . 141-46)
584. In my twenty-seventh year of reign I mustered my
chariots and troops; D&ian- Assur, the Turtan, the chief of
(my) large host (widespreading armies) I dispatched at the
head of my armies, against Urartu (Armenia) I sent (him).
He descended against Bit-Zamani, he entered by the pass of
Ammash (and) crossed the Arzania River. Seduri, the Armeni-
an, heard of it and trusted in the strength (mass) of his many
troops. He advanced against me, to offer battle. I fought
with him, I accomplished his defeat. I filled the wide plain
with the corpses of his warriors.
Year 28. Against Hattina ill. 146-56 )
585. In the twenty-eighth year of my reign, while I was
staying in Calah, word was brought me that the people of
Hattina had slain Lubama their lord, and had raised Surri,
who was not of royal blood (lit., lord of the throne), to the
kingship over them. Daian- Assur, the Turtan, the chief of
my large host (widespreading armies) I dispatched, sending
him at the head of my army and camp. He crossed the Eu-
phrates at its flood. In Kinalua, his royal city, he came to a
halt. Surri, who was not of royal blood, — the awe-inspiring
splendor of Assur, my lord, overcame him and he went to his
fate {lit., to the death of his fate). The people of Hattina be-
came afraid before the terror of my mighty weapons, the sons
of Surri, together with the rebels {lit., sinners) they seized
and gave (them) to me. These (rebels) I impaled on stakes.
Sasi, son of the Uzzite {or, an Uzzite), seized my feet. As king
I set him over them. Silver, gold, lead, copper, iron, ivory,
without measure, I received from them. I fashioned a heroic
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SHALMANESER III 209
image of my royal self, in Kinalua, his royal city, in his temple
(lit., the house of his gods) I had it set up.
Year 29. Against the land of Kirhi ( 11 . 1 56-59)
586. In my twenty-ninth year of reign I dispatched and
sent (my) troops and camp against Kirhi. Upon their cities I
brought destruction, I devastated (them), I burned (them)
with fire. Their lands I overwhelmed like a hurricane (flood).
Awe-inspiring terror I poured out over them.
Year 30. Eastward against Eubushkia, Manash, Parsua ( 11 .
15 ^ 74 )
587. In my thirtieth year of reign, while I was staying in
Calah, I dispatched Daian-Assur, the Turtan, chief of (my)
large host (widespreading armies) and sent him out at the
head of my armies. He crossed the Zab, into the midst of the
cities of the Hubushkians he approached; the tribute of Da-
tana, the Hubushkian, I received. From the midst of the cit-
ies of the Hubushkians I departed, into the midst of the cities
of Magdubi, the Malhisite, I (text, he) 'approached. Tribute I
received. From the midst of the cities of the Malhisites I
departed, into the midst of the cities of Ualki, the Mannean,
I approached. Ualki, the Mannean, became terrified by the
splendor of my weapons, and deserted Zirta, his royal city,
going up (into the mountains) to save his life. I pursued him.
His cattle, his sheep, his property, in countless number, I
brought back. His cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned
with fire. From Manash I departed. To the cities of Shulusu-
nu of Harruna(P), I drew near. I cap trued Masashuru, his
royal city, together with the cities of its neighborhood. I
granted pardon to Shulusunu, and his sons, I returned him to
his land. Tribute and tax, (in the form of) horses broken to
the yoke, I imposed. To Shurdira I drew near. I received the
1 The change from the first to the third person, and back again, is common in
the historical inscriptions, and is not ordinarily indicated in the translation.
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2io ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
tribute of Artasari, the Shurdirite. I descended upon Parsua.
I received the tribute of the kings of Parsua. The rest of the
Parsuans (lit., Parsua), who were not loyal to Assur, — their
cities I captured, their spoil, their property, I carried off to
Assyria.
Year jx. Against Hubushkia, Musasir, Namri ( 11 . 174-go )
588. In my thirty-first year of reign, for the second time I
set my face(?) toward Assur and Adad, 1 and at that time,
while I remained in Calah, I dispatched Daian-Assur, the
Turtan, commander-in-chief of (my) large army, and sent
(him) forth at the head of my troops and camp. To the cities
of Data (Datana) the Hubushkian, he drew near. . Tribute I
received from him. Against Sapparia, the stronghold of the
land of Musasir, I marched. Sapparia, together with 46 cities
of the Musasirites, I captured. I marched as far as the for-
tresses of the Urarteans. 50 of their cities I destroyed, I dev-
astated,! burned with fife. Against Gilzanu I descended. The
tribute of Upu, the Gilzanite, of the Man — ites, the — buri-
sites, the Harranites, the Shashganites, the Andites, the
— rites,— -cattle, sheep, horses, broken to the yoke, I received.
Against the cities of the land of Tabal 1 1 went down. Perria,
Shitiuaria, its strong cities, together with 22 cities of its
neighborhood, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
Awe-inspiring terror I poured out over them. Against the
cities of the Parsuans he marched. Bushtu, Shalahamanu,
Kinihamanu, strongholds, together with 23 cities of their
neighborhood, I captured. I slew their warriors. I carried off
their booty. Against the land of Namri I descended. The
awe-inspiring terror of Assur (and) Marduk overwhelmed
them. They deserted their cities. Into the wild (steep) moun-
tains -they went up. 250 of their cities I destroyed, I devas-
* This obscure phrase no doubt refers to the king’s assumption of the limmu-
r61e the second time. This marks the beginning of the great revolt
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SHALMANESER III an
tated, I burned with fire. Through the passes of Simesi at the
head(?) of the land of Halman, I descended.
Over the reliefs
589. I. Tribute of Slia, the Gilzanite. Silver, gold, lead,
copper vessels, staves for the hand of the king, horses, camels,
whose backs are two humps, I received from him.
590. II. Tribute of Iaua (Jehu), son of Omri (1 mar
Humri). Silver, gold, a golden bowl, a golden beaker, golden
goblets, pitchers of gold, lead, staves for the hand of the king,
javelins, I received from him.
591. III. Tribute of the land of Musri. Camels, whose
backs are two humps, a river-ox (buffalo), a sakea, a susu,
elephants,' monkeys, apes, I received from him.
592. IV. Tribute of Marduk-apal-usur of Suhi. Silver,
gold, pitchers of gold, ivory, javelins, Mia, brightly colored
(and) linen garments, I received from him.
593. V. Tributoof Karparunda, of Hattina. Silver, gold,
lead, copper, copper vessels, ivory, cypress (timbers), I re-
ceived from him. 1
H. THE MONOLITH INSCRIPTION
594. Our earliest annals text of Shalmaneser is the so-called
“Monolith Inscription,” engraved, along with the figure of the king in
relief, on a stele which came to the British Museum from Kurkh (see
§ 496). The record of the military activities of the king, up to the
battle of Karkar (sixth year), is given in detail. The stele was probably
set up at the end of, or soon after, the sixth year. The text is published
in IIIR, Plates 7 and 8.
Invocation of the gods. Titles and genealogy of the king {Col. I,
ll . 1-12 )
595. Assur, the great lord, king of all of the great gods;
Anu, king of the Igigi and Anunnaki, the lord of lands; Enlil
( 1 ) 61 ), father of the gods, who decrees destiny, who establishes
1 KAH, II, No. 99, is part of a text accompanying a relief (of Shalmaneser ?)
It reads: of the city of Kattanaia, bringing wines and aSses.”
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2i2 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
the bounds of heaven and earth; Ea, the wise, king of the
Apsu, Endowed 1 with wisdom (lit., knowing cunning) ; the god
Nanir, (illuminator) of heaven and earth; the hero god,
Shamash, judge of the four regions (of the world), who leads
mankind aright; Ishtar, lady of conflict and battle, whose de-
light is warfare, (ye) great gods, who love my kingship, who
have made great my rule, power, and sway, who have
established for me an honored, an exalted name, far above
that of all other lords!
596. Shalmaneser, king of all peoples, fprince 1 , priest of
Assur, mighty king, king of Assyria, king of all of the four
regions (of the world), Sun of all peoples, ruler of all lands,
king, sought out by the gods, favorite of Enlil (Bel), vigilant
viceroy of Assur, honored prince, who finds (his way among)
the most difficult paths, who treads the summits of moun-
tains and highlands far and near, who receives the tribute and
gifts of all regions, who opens up trails, north and south
(above and below), at whose mighty battle onset the re-
gions (of earth) feel themselves threatened, at the vigor of
whose bravery the lands are shaken to their foundations;
mighty hero, who goes about, trusting in Assur (and) Sha-
mash, his divine allies, who is without a rival among the
princes of the four regions (of earth) ; the king of lands, the
heroic, who advances over difficult roads, traverses moun-
tains and seas; son of Assur-nasir-pal, prefect of Enlil (Bel),
priest of Assur, whose priesthood was pleasing to the gods,
at whose feet all lands bowed in submission; glorious off-
spring of Tukulti-Urta, who slew every foe of his, and over-
whelmed them like a hurricane (deluge).
597. When Assur, the great lord, in the determination of
his heart, and with his holy eyes, designated me, called me to
rule over Assyria, gave to me the mighty weapon that casts
down the insubmissive, crowned me with a [noble] diadem,
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SHALMANESER III 213
the rule of all lands — to rule and subject in anger the foes of
Assur, he sent me forth.
Year of accession {Col. 1 , 11 . i2-2g )
598. At that time, at the beginning of my kingship,
in my first year of reign, when I solemnly seated myself
on the royal throne, I mustered my chariots and armies,
into the passes of Simesi I entered; against Aridi, the
royal city of Ninni, I drew near. I stormed (and) captured
the city. Multitudes of his warriors I slew. His spoil I car-
ried off. A pyramid (pillar) of heads I reared in front of his
city. Their 'youths 1 and their maidens I burnt up in the
flames. While I was staying in Aridi, the tribute of the Har-
geans, Harmaseans, Simeseans, Simereans, Siresheans, Ul-
maneans, — horses broken to the yoke, cattle, sheep, wine, I
received. From Aridi I departed. Difficult roads, steep
mountains, which like the blade of an iron dagger push their
summits up into the heavens, I cut through with pickaxes of
bronze and copper. Chariots and troops I led (over them).
I drew near to Hubushkia. Hubushkia, together with xoo
cities of its neighborhood, I burned with fire. Kakia, king of
the Nairi-land, and the rest of his armies, became frightened
at (before) my terrible weapons (the terror of my weapons)
and took to the high mountains {lit., mighty mountains). I
climbed the mountain after them, I fought a terrible battle
in the midst of the mountains. I smote them utterly. Chari-
ots, troops, horses, broken to the yoke, I brought back out of
the mountains. The awe-inspiring fear of 'Assur 1 , my lord,
overcame them. They came down (and) seized my feet.
Tribute and tax I imposed upon them. From Hubushkia I
departed. [To 1 Sugunia, the royal city of Arame, the Urar-
tian (Armenian), I drew near. The city I stormed (and) cap-
tured. Multitudes of his warriors I slew. His booty I carried
off. A pyramid (pillar) of heads I reared in front of his city.
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2i 4 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
14 cities of the neighborhood I burned with fire. From Su-
gunia I departed. To the sea of the Nairi-land I descended.
I washed my weapons in the sea. I offered sacrifices to my
gods. At that time I made an image of my likeness; the glory
of Assur, the great lord, my lord, and the power of my might,
I wrote thereon; I set it up by the sea. On my return from
the sea I received the tribute of Asti, the Guzanite, — horses,
cattle, sheep, wine, 2 camels of two humps; to my city. Assur
I carried (them).
Year 1 {Col. I, l. 29 — Col. II, 1 . 13)
599. In the month Aim, the thirteenth day, I departed
from Nineveh, I crossed the Tigris, traversed the lands of
Hasamu and fDihnunu. 1 To the city of La’la’ti, of Ahuni,
son of Adini, I drew near. The awe-inspiring terror of Assur,
my lord, overwhelmed (them) and they went up [into the
mountains]. The city I destroyed, I devastated, I burned it
with fire. From La’la’ti I departed. r To Ki— ka, the royal
city] of Ahuni, son of Adini, I drew near. Ahuni, son of Adini,
[trusted in the mass of his armies, 1 and r came out against 1 me
[to offer] battle and fight. Trusting in Assur and the great
gods, my lords, I battled with him, I accomplished his defeat.
I shut him up in his city. From Ki — ka(?) I departed, against
Burmar’ana, (a city) of Ahuni, son of [Adini, I drew near.
The city] I stormed and captured. 300 of their warriors I cut
down with the sword. A pyramid (pillar) of heads r I erected
in front of the city. 1 The tribute of Hapini, the Til-abnite, of
Ga’uni, the [Sallite 1 , of Giri(?)-Adad, the — ite, — silver,
gold, cattle, sheep, wine, I received. From Burmar’ana I de-
parted. In (goat)-skin rafts I crossed the Euphrates. The
tribute of Katazilu, of Kummuhi (Commagene), — silver,
gold, cattle, sheep, wines, I received. Against the land of
Takarruhbuni 1 (and) the cities of Ahuni, son of Adini, which
are on that (the farther) bank of the Euphrates, I drew near.
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SHALMANESER III 215
I overthrew the (whole) land. His cities I turned into ruins.
With his fallen warriors I filled the wide plain. 1,300 of their
fighters I cut down with the sword. From Pakarruhbuni I de-
parted. To the cities of Mutalli, the Gurgumean, I drew near.
The tribute of Mutalli, the Gurgumean, — silver, gold, cattle,
wines, his daughter, with her costly (large) dowry, I received.
From Gurgum I departed. Against Lutibu, the royal city of
HUni, the Sam’alite, I drew near. Hani, the Sam’alite, Sapa-
lulme, the Hattinite, Ahuni, son of Adini, Sangara, of Car-
chemish, — they trusted in each other’s help, prepared for
battle, came out against me to offer resistance. In the mighty
power of Nergal, who goes before me, in the terrible weapons
which Assur, the lord, gave me, I fought with them, I de-
feated them. Their warriors I slew with the sword. Like
Adad I rained destruction upon them; in the moat (of the
city) I piled them up; with the corpses of their warriors I
filled the wide plain. With their blood I dyed the mountains
like red wool. Large numbers of chariots and horses, broken
to the yoke, I took from him. A pyramid (pillar) of heads I
reared up in front of his city. His cities I destroyed, I devas-
tated, I burned with fire.
600. At that time I made humble acknowledgment of the
greatness of the great gods; the heroic might of Assur and
Shamash I extolled for all time to come. I fashioned a heroic
image of my royal self. My deeds of heroism, my acts of
bravery, I wrote thereon. At the sources of the Saluara
River, which is at the foot of Mount Amanus, I set it up.
From Mount Amanus I departed. The Arantu (Orontes)
River I crossed. Against Alimush, the stronghold of Sapa-
lulme, the Hattinite, I drew near. Sapalulme, the Hattinite,
to save his life, summoned to his aid Ahuni, son of Adini,
Sagara, of Carchemish, Haianu, the Sama’lite, Kate, the
Kuean, Pihirisi, the Hilukite, Buranate, the Iasbukite, Ada —
.... Assur, {Col. II) their forces I shattered.
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216 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
The city I stormed and captured his numer-
ous chariots, his horses, broken to the yoke, ... I carried off
I slew with the sword. In the midst of that
battle, Buranate, the Iasbukite, my hands
captured. The strongholds of the Hattineans, I 'approached 1 .
[The lands of the Upper Sea 1 of Amurri, and the sea of the
setting sun, I 'overthrew them 1 (so that they) were like the
ruins (left by) a deluge. The tribute of the kings of the sea-
coast I received. Along the shore of the wide sea I marched,
justified (straight-forward?) and triumphant. An image of
my royal self, as witness of my name for all time to come, I
made and 'set up 1 by the sea. I climbed Mount Amanus;
timbers of cedar and cypress I cut. To the mountain of ... .
to Mount Atalur, where the image of Anhirbi had been set
up, I marched. My image I erected alongside of his. I de-
scended to the sea. The cities of Taia, Hazazu, Nulia, Bu-
tamu, which belonged to the Hattinean, I captured. 2,8oo(?)
of his warriors, I slew. 14,600 of them I carried off as booty.
The tribute of Arame, son of Gfizi, — 'silver, 1 gold, cattle,
sheep, wines, (and) a couch of gold (and) silver I received.
Year 2 (Col. II, ll. 13-30 )
601. In the eponym year bearing my own name, on the
thirteenth of Aim, from [Nineveh] I departed. I crossed the
Tigris, I marched across the lands of Hasamu (and) Dihnunu.
I drew near to Til-bursip, the stronghold of Ahuni, son of
Adini. Ahuni, son of Adini, trusted in the mass of his armies,
and came out against me. I accomplished his overthrow. In
[his city] I shut him up. From Til-bursip I departed, in
(goat)-skin rafts I crossed the Euphrates, at its flood. The
cities of -ga, Tagi — Surunu, Paripa, Til-
bashere, Dabigu, — six of the strong cities of Ahuni, son of
Adini, I stormed and captured. Multitudes of his warriors I
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SHALMANESER III 217
slew. Their spoil I carried of?. 200 cities of their neighbor-
hood I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. From Da-
bigu I departed. To Sazabe, the stronghold of Sangara, of
Carchemish, I drew near. The city I stormed and captured.
Multitudes of his warriors I slew. Their spoil I carried off.
The cities of its neighborhood I destroyed, I devastated, I
burned with fire. The kings of the land of r Amurru(?) 1 , all
of them, became terrified at the approach of my mighty, awe-
inspiring weapons, and my grim warfare, and they seized
my feet. From of the Hattinites, I received
3 talents of gold, 100 talents of silver, 300 talents of copper,
300 talents of iron, 1,000 copper vessels, 1,000 brightly col-
ored garments (of wool) and linen, his daughter with her large
dowry, 20 talents of purple wool, 500 cattle, 5,000 sheep. One
talent of silver, 2 talents of purple wool, 200 cedar logs, I im-
posed upon him as his tribute. Yearly I received it in my city
Assur. Haianu, son of Gabbari, (who lived) at the foot of
Mount Amanus, — 10 talents of silver, 90 talents of copper, 30
talents of iron, 300 brightly colored garments of wool and
linen, 300 cattle, 3,000 sheep, 200 cedar logs, 2 homers of
cedar resin (lit., blood of the cedar), his daughter with her
rich dowry, I received from him. 10 minas of silver, 100 cedar
logs, a homer of cedar resin, I laid upon him as his tribute;
yearly I received it. Aramu, son of Agusi, — 10 minas of
'gold 1 , 6 talents of silver, 500 cattle, 5,000 sheep, I received
from him. Sangara, of Carchemish, — 3 talents of gold, 70
talents of silver, 30 talents of copper, xoo talents of iron, 20
talents of purple wool, 500 weapons, his daughter, with
dowry, and 100 daughters of his nobles, 500 cattle, 5,000
sheep, I received from him. 1 mina of gold, 1 talent of silver,
2 talents of purple wool, I imposed upon him (as tribute) and
received from him yearly. Katazilu, of Kummuhu, — 20
minas of silver, 300 cedar logs, yearly I received (from him).
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2 18 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Year 3 (Col. II, ll. 30-66)
602. In the eponymy of Assur-bel-kain, in the month of
r Duzu(?)\ , the thirteenth day, I departed from Nineveh. The
Tigris I crossed. The lands of Hasamu (and) Dihnunu I
traversed. To Til-bursip, the stronghold of Ahuni, son of
Adini, I approached. Ahuni, son of Adini, (terrified by) my
terrible, awe-inspiring weapons and my grim warfare, crossed
over [to the other side] of the Euphrates, to save his life, and
made his way to other lands. At the command of Assur, the
great lord, my lord, Til-bursip, Aligu, [Nappigi], Rugulit(P), 1
I turned into royal cities of mine. Men of Assyria I settled
therein. Palaces for my royal residence I built in its midst.
[The name] of Til-bursip I changed to (lit., named) Kar-
Shalmaneser, the name of Nappigi to Lita- Assur, the name
of Alligu to Asbat-lakunu, the name of Ruguliti to Kibit — .
603. At that time the city of Ana-Assur-uter-asbat, which
the people of Hatti called Pitru, which is on the Sagur River,
r and which is on the other side of the Euphrates, 1 and the city
of Mutkinu, which is on this side of the Euphrates, which Tig-
lath-pileser, my ancestor, who went before me, had settled,
(and) which in the reign of Assur-rabi, king of Assyria, the
king of the land of Arumu had seized by force, those cities I
restored to their (former) estate (lit., place); men of Assyria I
settled therein. While I was staying in Kar-Shalmaneser I
received the tribute of the kings of the seacoast and the kings
of (the lands along) the bank(s) of the Euphrates, — silver,
gold, lead, copper, copper vessels, cattle, sheep, brightly
colored woolen and linen garments.
604. From Kar-Shalmaneser I departed. I traversed the
land of Sumu(?), descended upon the land of Bit-Zamani.
From Bit-Zamani I departed. The lands (or, mountains) of
Namdanu (and) Merhisu, I traversed. Difficult toads 1 , steep
mountains, whose peaks push up into heaven like a dagger
1 Text on stone not dear, but this reading fits the context.
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SHALMANESER HI 219
blade, I cut through with bronze pickaxes; chariots and
troops I led (over them). Against the land of Enzite of the
land of Ishua I descended. Enzite in its totality my hands
conquered. Their cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned
with fire. Their booty, their property and their goods, with-
out number, I carried off. A heroic statue of my royal self
I made. The glory of Assur the great lord, my lord, and the
power of my might I wrote thereon. (In) Saluria, under an
empty , I set it up. From Enzite I departed. The
river Arsania I crossed. To the land of Suhme I drew near.
Uashtal, its stronghold, I captured. The land of Suhme in its
entirety I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. Sfta,
their governor, I seized. From the land of Suhme I departed.
Against the land of Daiaeni I descended. The city of Daiaeni
I captured in its totality. Their cities I destroyed, I devas-
tated, I burned with fire. Their booty, their goods, and pos-
sessions in large numbers, I seized. From Daiaeni I departed.
605. To Arzashku, the royal city of Arrame, the Urartean
(Armenian), I drew near. Arramu, the Urartean, became
frightened at my mighty, awe-inspiring weapons, and my
gri m warfare, and forsook his city. He went up into Mount
Adduri. I climbed the mountain after him; fought a terrible
battle in the midst of the mountains; 3,400 of his warriors I
slew with the sword. Like Adad I rained destruction upon
them. With their blood I dyed r the mountain 1 like red wool.
I took his camp from him. His chariots, his cavalry, his
horses, his mules, colts(?), his goods, his spoil, his property, in
large quantities I brought out of the mountain. Arramu, to
save his life, climbed a steep mountain. In my virile vigor I
trampled down his land like a wild bull. His cities I turned to
wastes. Arzashku, together with the cities of its neighbor-
hood, I destroyed, I devastated, r I burned with fire 1 . Four(?)
pyramids (pillars) of heads I erected in front of its gate. Some
(of his people) I fastened alive into these pyramids, others I
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220 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
hung up on stakes around the pyramids. From Arzashku I
departed.
606. I r climbed up Mount Eritia 1 . A heroic statue of my
royal self I made. The glory of Assur, my lord, and the power
of my might, which I had displayed (in) the land of Urartu, I
wrote thereon. On Mount Eritia I set it up. From Mount
Eritia I departed. To the city of Aramaic I drew near. Its
• cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. Trom 1
Aramaic I departed. To Zanziuna [I drew near] he
feared, and seized my feet. Horses, broken to the yoke, cattle,
sheep, I received from him. I had mercy on him
[In the course of my march 1 , I descended to the sea of the
land of Nairi; the terrible weapons of Assur I washed in the
sea. Sacrifices [I offered. An image of my royal self I made 1 .
The glory of Assur, the great lord, my lord, my deeds of
heroism, my acts of bravery, I r wrote thereon. From the sea-
shore I departed 1 .
607. To the land of r GilzS.nu n I drew near. Asau, king of
Gilzanu, together with his brothers, his sons, came out against
me. [Tribute and gifts for my royal self 1 , — horses, broken to
the yoke, cattle, sheep, wines, seven camels, whose humps
are double, I received from him. A heroic statue of my royal
self I made. The glory of Assur, the great lord, my lord, and
the power of the might which I had displayed in the land of
Nairi, I wrote thereon. In the midst of his city, in his temple,
I set it up. From Gilzanu I departed. To Shilaia, the strong-
hold of Kaki, king of Hubushkia, I drew near. The city I
stormed and captured. Multitudes of his warriors I slew.
3,000 of them as captives, their cattle, their sheep, horses,
mules, colts(?) without number, I carried off, and brought
them to my city Assur. Into the pass of the land of Enzite
I entered. By the pass of the land of Kirruri, to the north of
Arbela, I came out.
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SHALMANESER III 221
A short resume of the sorties against Ahuni before the fourth
year {Col. II, ll. 66-69)
608. Ahuni, son of Adini, who had done bold and violent
deeds against the kings, my fathers, — at the beginning of my
reign, the eponymy year bearing my name, I departed from
Nineveh. Til-bursip, his stronghold, I stormed, I surrounded
it with my .... warriors, and fought a battle in its midst.
Its gardens (parks) I cut down; a fiery rain of spears I show-
ered upon them. He became frightened at my awe-inspiring
weapons and my lordly splendor, forsook his city, crossed the
Euphrates to save his life.
Year 4 {Col. II, ll. 69-78 )
609. In a second year, in the eponymy year of Assur-
banaia-usur, I pursued him. Mount Shitamrat, a mountain
peak on the bank of the Euphrates, which is like a cloud hang-
ing from the heavens, he made into his stronghold. At the
command of Assur, the great lord, my lord, and Nergal, who
goes before me, I drew near to Mount Shitamrat, into which
none of the kings, my fathers, had come. In three days the
hero conquered the mountain, his stout heart bent on battle,
— on his (own) feet he climbed up, and overcame the moun-
tain. Ahuni trusted in his widespreading hosts and came
forth against me. He drew up the battle line. The weapons of
Assur, my lord, I hurled among them. Their defeat I brought
about. I cut off the heads of his warriors. With the blood of
his soldiers I dyed the mountain. Multitudes of his (men)
hurled themselves upon the cliffs of the mountain. I fought a
terrible battle in his city’s midst. The awe-inspiring splendor
of Assur, my lord, overwhelmed them, they came down, they
seized my feet. Ahuni with his armies, chariots, his cavalry,
the lavish wealth (property) of his palace, which was immeas-
urable {lit., whose weight could not be taken), came before
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222 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
me. I had (the booty) taken across the Tigris, brought to my
city Assur; and I distributed it {lit., them) among the peoples
of my land. In the same year I marched against the land of
Mazamua. The pass into (lit., of) the land of Bunagish I
entered. To the cities of Nikdime (and) Nikdiera I drew near.
They became frightened at my mighty, awe-inspiring weap-
ons and my grim warfare, cast themselves upon the sea in
wicker(?) boats. I followed after them in boats of (goat
skins), fought a great battle on the sea, defeated them, and
with their blood I dyed the sea like wool.
Year 6 (Col. II, 78-102)
610. In the year of Daian-Assur, in the month of Aim,
the fourteenth day, I departed from Nineveh, crossed the
Tigris, and drew near to the cities of Giammu, (near) the
Balih(?) River. At the fearfulness of my sovereignty, the
terror of my frightful weapons, they became afraid; with
their own weapons his nobles killed Giammu. Into Kitlala
and Til-sha-mar-ahi, I entered. I had my gods brought into
his palaces. In his palaces I spread a banquet. His treasury
I opened. I saw his wealth. His goods, his property, I car-
ried off and brought to my city Assur. From Kitlala I de-
parted. To Kar-Shalmaneser I drew near. In (goat) -skin
boats I crossed the Euphrates the second time, at its flood.
The tribute of the kings on that side of the Euphrates, — of
Sangara of Carchemish, of Kundashpi of Kumuhu (Com-
magene), of Arame son of Gfizi, of Lalli the Milidean, of
Haiani son of Gabari, of Kalparuda of Hattina, of Kalparuda
of Gurgum, — silver, gold, lead, copper, vessels of copper, at
Ina-Assur-uttir-asbat, on that side of the Euphrates, on the
river Sagur, which the people of Hatti call Pitru, there I re-
ceived (it). From the Euphrates I departed, I drew near to
Halman (Aleppo). They were afraid to fight with (me), they
seized my feet. Silver, gold, as their tribute I received. I
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SHALMANESER III 223
offered sacrifices before the god Adad of Halman. From Hal-
man I departed. To the cities of Irhuleni, the Hamathite, I
drew near. The cities of Adennu, BargS,, Argana, his royal
cities, I captured. His spoil, his property, the goods of his
palaces, I brought out. I set fire to his palaces. From Argana
I departed. To Karkar I drew near.
61 1. , Karkar, his royal city, I destroyed, I devastated, I
burned with fire. 1,200 chariots, 1,200 cavalry, 20,000 sol-
diers, of Hadad-ezer, of Aram (? Damascus); 700 chariots,
700 cavalry, 10,000' soldiers of Irhuleni of Hamath, 2,000
chariots, 10,000 soldiers of Ahab, the Israelite, 500 soldiers of
the Gueans, 1,000 soldiers of the Musreans, 10 chariots,
10,000 soldiers of the Irkanateans, 200 soldiers of Matinu-
ba’il, the Arvadite, 200 soldiers of the Usanateans, 30
chariots, [ ],ooo soldiers of Adunu-ba’il, the Shianean, 1,000
camels of Gindibu’, the Arabian, [ ],ooo soldiers [of] Ba’sa,
son of Ruhubi, the Ammonite, — these twelve kings he brought
to his support; to offer battle and fight, they came against me.
(Trusting) in the exalted might which Assur, the lord, had
given (me), in the mighty weapons, which Nergal, who goes
before me, had presented (to me), I battled with them. From
Karkar, as far as the city of Gilzau, I routed them. 14,000
of their warriors I slew with the sword. Like Adad, I rained
destruction upon them. I scattered their corpses far and
wide, (and) covered {lit., filled) the face of the desolate plain
with their widespreading armies. With (my) weapons I made
their blood to flow down the vallcys(?) of the land. The plain
was too small to let their bodies fall, the wide countryside
was used up in burying them. With their bodies I spanned
the Arantu (Orontes) as with a bridge(?). In that battle I
took, from them their chariots, their cavalry, their horses,
broken to the yoke.
1 Possibly 20,000.
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22 4 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
in. THE “BRONZE GATES OF BALAwAT”
612. The “Bronze Gates of Bal&wat,” as they are popularly
known from the alleged site of their discovery (in 1876), are one of the
choicest treasures of the British Museum. From the earliest to the
latest days of Assyrian history we hear of gates and doors of cedar,
and other woods, “whose odor is pleasant,” covered with bands of
bronze, sometimes even silver and gold, and set up in the entrances to
palace or temple. In the Bronze Reliefs from the Gates of Shalmaneser,
edited by King, will be found collotype reproductions of the thirteen
bronze bands which formed part of the decoration of the “Balawat
Gates,” and which have generally been conceded to “represent the
finest example of work in bronze repousse which has survived from so
early a period.” 1 The recent remarkable discoveries of Hall and Wool-
ley at Tel Obeid, near the site of the ancient Ur, will hardly compel us
to modify our estimate of the Shalmaneser bronzes, but they do raise
the question as to whether King’s doubts as to their source, based upon
the smallness of the mound of Bal&wkt, are justified. The reader is
referred to King’s work for a detailed description of the bronzes, as well
as for a bibliography of the more important works dealing with them.
Below is given King’s table of “the thirteen bands in the British Muse-
um in the chronological order of the scenes engraved upon
them,” as well as a translation of the short descriptions engraved in the
field above the figures by the Assyrian artists.
613.
Band
Date of
Expedition*
Region
Principal Places
Texts
I.
860 B.C.
Armenia.
Lake Van; Sugum'a.
Mon., Obv. 11. 23-7.
II.
860 B.C.
Armenia.
Cities of Urartu.
Mon., Obv. 1. 25.
m.
859 B.C.
Phoenicia.
Tyre, Sidon;
Hazazu.
Gate Inscr., II. 11. 3-5
Mon., Rev., 11. 5-7, 10-12,
and cf. Bl. Ob. 11. 26-31.
IV.
858 B.C.
Northern
Syria.
Dabigu.
Mon. Rev. 11. 13-18.
BL Ob. 11. 32-5.
V.
858 B.C.
Northern
Syria.
Unku.
Mon. Rev. 11. 21-4, and pos-
sibly 11. 24-7
VI.
858 B.C.
Northern
Syria.
Carchemish.
Mon. Rev. 11. 18-20, 27-9.
1 King, op. tit., p. 9. Not so well known are the bronzes from the gates of a
palace of Assur-n4sir-pal, father of Shalmaneser (see §§ 540-43).
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SHALMANESER in
Band
Date of
Expedition*
Region
Principal Places
Texts
vn.
857.B.C.
Armenia.
Urartu; Gilzani.
Gate Inscr. II, 155 — III 1. 3
Mon., Rev. 11. 47-54, 60-2.
Bl. Ob., 11. 42-4;
Bull Inscr, 11. 53-60.
VIII.
8SS-B.C.
North-
East
Mesopota-
mia.
Shubru.
Bl. Ob. 11. 52-4
Bull. Inscr. 11. 66-7.
IX.
854.B.C.
Syria
(Hamath).
Parglt, Ada, Kar-
kar.
Mon. Rev., 11 87-101.
Bl. Ob. 11. 67-66;
Bull Inscr. 11. 71-4
X.
853 B.C.
Source of
Tigris.
Kulisi.
Bl. ob. 11. 67-72.
Bull Inscr, 11. 75-7.
XI.
851 B.C.
South
Baby-
lonia.
Blt-Dakuri.
Gate Inscr. IV. 1. 1 — VI, 1. 8.
Bl. Ob. 11. 83-4;
Bull Inscr. 1. 82-4.
XII.
850 B.C.
Northern
Syria.
Amfi.
Bl. Ob. 11. 85-6.
Bull Inscr. 11. 84-7, and pos-
sibly 11. 90 f., 94 f.
xin.
849 B.C.
Syria
(Hamath).
Ashtamaku.
Bl. Ob. 11. 87-8;
Bull Inscr. 11. 91-2.
*The dates are King’s. No changes have been made.
614. The scenes of the bands are engraved upon two registers, an
upper and a lower. They are intended to portray the most striking
episodes of the different campaigns of the king. The descriptions ac-
companying them read as follows:
Band I, u.r. {upper register)
I set up an image on the shore of the sea of Nairi; I offered
sacrifices to my gods.
Band I, l.r. (power register)
I captured Sugunia, the city of Arame of Urartu (Armenia).
Band II, u.r.
Smiting of [ ] of the land of Urartu.
Band III, u.r.
I received the tribute of the ships of the men of Tyre and
Sidon.
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226 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Band III, l.r.
Smiting of the city of Hazazu.
Band IV, u.r.
Smiting of Dabigu, the city of Ahum, son of Adini.
Band V, u.r.
Tribute of the Unkians.
Band VI, u.r.
Tribute of Sangara of Carchemish.
Band VII, u.r.
I captured the city of Arame, the Urartian (Armenian).
Band VII, l.r.
Tribute of the men of Gilzani.
Band VIII, u.r.
I captured Ubume, the dty of Anhiti of Shupria.
Band IX, u.r.
I captured the city of Parga; Ada, a city of Urhileni of the
land of Hamath, I captured.
Band IX, l.r.
Karkar, the city of Urhileni of the land of Hamath, I
captured.
Band X, l.r.
Kulisi, the royal city of Mutzuata, I captured, I burned
with fire. I entered the sources of the river, I offered sacri-
fices to the gods, my royal image I set up.
Band XI, u.r.
The tribute of Adini, son of Dakuri, the Chaldean.
Band XII, u.r.
Arne, the city of Arame, I captured.
Band XII, l.r.
— agda, the city of Arame, son of Gusi, I captured.
/
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SHALMANESER III 227
Band XIII, u.r.
Ashtamaku, the royal city of Irhuleni of the land of Ha-
math, 1 together with eighty-six cities I captured.
615. In addition to the bronze bands which were nailed across the
doors and around the massive doorposts, there was a sheathing of
bronze running from the top to the bottom of the free edge of each of
the doors. On these edgings was engraved the so-called “Gate Inscrip-
tion,” in duplicate. Only a selected few events from the first four years
are recorded, and the inscription closes with a detailed account of the
campaigns against Babylonia, years 8 and 9. But in view of the fact
that the scenes and inscriptions on the bands include the campaigns
against Amg and Ashtamaku, it is probable that the gates were not set
up until after the eleventh year.
The text was published in TSBA , VII, 89 f., and again by Pinches,
The Bronze Ornaments of the Palace Gates of Balawat. See also Biller-
beck and Delitzsch in BA, VI (Part 1), and Unger, Zum Bronzetor von
Balawat.
Titles and genealogy of the king; resume of his conquests (Col. I,
1 . 1— Col. II, l. 5)
616. Shalmaneser, the great king, the mighty king, king
of the universe, king of [Assyria, son of Assur-nasir-pal, king
of the universe, king of Assyria, grandson of Tukulti-Urta,
king of the universe, king of] Assyria; the powerful hero who
in the four regions (of the world) gives no quarter, who con-
quers rebellion, to whose hand all the regions
(of the earth) are intrusted, who crushes those who do not
submit to Assur; the mighty flood, in whose hands
Assur has set the ends of the lands. King of the regions (of
earth, who is covered) with splendor, who is fearless in
battle, [under the yoke] of whose dominion, mighty
(and) ruthless kings, as far as the setting sun, have bowed
Shalmaneser, the rightful ruler, priest of Assur,
the powerful.
1 The syllable Ha of Ha-mu-ta-a-o was omitted by the engraver.
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228 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
617. At that time, when Assur, the great lord, [my lord,
had uttered my name for the rulership] of the nations, and
had crowned me with the exalted crown of dominion, (when)
he had intrusted to my hand the sword, the scepter (and)
the staff (to rule) all peoples, and I was going about, (trust-
ing) in the aid of Assur, the great lord, my lord, and the god
who loves my priesthood, (and when) all lands and mountain
regions, to their farthest border, he had placed under my
hand; — I, Shalmaneser, the mighty king, the Sun of all
peoples conquered from the sea of Nairl and
the sea Zamua, which (lies) inside, and the great sea of
Amurru, — the Hittite-land to its farthest border I over-
whelmed (so that it was) like a mound (left by) the flood.
44,400 mighty warriors I carried away from their lands and
reckoned them with the people of my land
The splendor of my sovereignty I poured out over the Hittite-
land.
618. On my march to the sea, I made a heroic image of
my royal (self) and set it up beside the image of Anhirbe
(or, Ilu-hirbe). The cities along my path I destroyed, I dev-
astated, I burned with fire. I marched to the Great
Sea. I washed my weapons in the Great Sea. I offered sacri-
fices to my gods. The tribute of all the kings of the seacoast I
received. I made a heroic image of my royal (self) and I in-
scribed thereon the mighty deeds which I had done by the
shore of the sea, and I set it up by the sea. 1
Year 3 (Col. II, l. 5-C0I. Ill, l. 5)
619. From Enzite to Daiaeni, from Daiaeni to
Arsashkun, the royal city of Arama of Ur-
artu, I captured, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
While I tarried in Arsashkun, Aramu of Urartu put his trust
1 Probably at the mouth of the Dog River. None, however, of the six (or seven)
Assyrian monuments to be seen at this place can be identified as Shalmaneser’s
(see Vol. II, § 582).
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SHALMANESER III 229
in the multitude of his troops and mustered all of his armies.
He advanced against me intent on battle and combat. I de-
feated him, I shattered (the resistance) of his warriors, 3,000
of his fighters I struck down with the sword. With the blood
of his soldiers I filled the wide plain. His battle equipment,
his royal treasure, his cavalry, I took away from him. To
save his life he climbed a steep mountain. The broad land of
the Kute I ravaged like Girra (the pest-god). From Axsash-
kun to Gilzani, from Gilzani to Hubushkia, I thundered over
them like Adad, the Storm-god. My harsh rule (lit., the
bitterness of my rule) I established over Urartu.
620. Ahuni, son of Adini, who since (the days) of the
kings, my fathers, had been exercising haughty and forceful
(rulership), I shut up in his city, carried off the grain (lit.,
crops) of his (fields), cut down his orchards. To save his life
he crossed the Euphrates and made into his stronghold Shi-
tamrat, a mountain peak which hangs from the sky like a
cloud, (v., which is situated[?] on the bank of the Euphrates
)-
Year 4. Defeat and capture of Ahuni (Col. Ill, ll. 5-b)
621. In a second year I went after him. I besieged the
mountain peak. My warriors pursued (lit., flew at) them like
the (divine) Zfi-bird. 17,500 of his soldiers I carried off.
Ahuni, together with his armies, his gods, his chariots (and)
his horses I took for myself, I brought (them) to my city
Assur, and reckoned them with the people (? text, houses) of
my land.
Year 8. Against the rebels in Babylonia (Col. IV, ll. 1-5)
622. In the eponymy of Shamash-bel-usur (and) in the
reign of Marduk-zakir-shumi, king of Karduniash (Baby-
lonia), Marduk-bel-usate, his brother, revolted against him
(i.e., the Babylonian king) and tore the whole land asunder
(lit., divided it totally). Marduk-zakir-shumi sent his mes-
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2 3 o ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
senger to Shalmaneser, (to ask) for his aid. Shalmaneser, the
powerful, the ferocious, whose ally is the god Urta, marched
forth (lit., took the road), gave the order to advance upon
Akkad. I drew near to the city of Zaban. Sacrifices I offered
before Adad, my lord. From Zaban I departed. To the city of
Me-tumat I drew near. (That) city I stormed, I captured, I
slew its inhabitants, I carried off its spoil. From Me-tumat I
departed. To the city of Gannanate I drew near. Marduk-
bel-usate, the wretched king, who did not know what he was
about (lit., his own way), came out against me, offering battle
and combat. I defeated him, I slew his people, I shut h im up
in his city, I carried off the grain of his fields, I cut down his
orchards, I turned aside (lit., dammed) his river.
Year g. Against Babylonia {Col. IV, l. 5 — Col. VI, l. 8)
623. On a second campaign, in the eponymy of Bel-
bunaia, on the twentieth day of Nisanu, I departed from
Nineveh, crossed the Upper and Lower Zab, (and) drew
near to the city of Lahiru. (That) city I stormed, I captured,
its people I slew, its spoil I carried off. From Lahiru I de-
parted, to Gannanate I drew near. Marduk-bel-usate got
away, like a fox, through a hole (in the wall, and) turned his
face toward the mountains (in) Iasubi. (There) he made the
city of Arman his stronghold. I captured Gannanate, I slew
its inhabitants, I carried away its spoil. I climbed the moun-
tain in pursuit of him. I shut him up in Arman. I stormed
that city, I captured (it), I slew its inhabitants, I carried off
its spoil. Marduk-bel-usate I cut down with the sword, and
(of) the camp-followers 1 who were with him, not one escaped.
624. After Marduk-zaHr-shumi had conquered his foes,
and Shalmaneser, the mighty king, had attained to all his
heart’s desires, he (Shalmaneser) gave heed to {lit., honored)
the command of the great lord Marduk. Shalmaneser, king of
1 The Assyrian is making a sarcastic reference to the kind of men rebel leaders
gather round them (cf. Sennacherib, II, §252, and I Sam. 2a : 1 f.).
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SHALMANESER III 231
Assyria, issued the command to proceed to Babylon. He
reached Kutha, the city of the warrior of the gods, the ex-
alted Nergal. At the door of the temple he bowed humbly (in
prayer), he offered his sacrifices and presented his gifts. He
entered Babylon, the bond (connecting-link) of heaven and
earth, the abode of life. He went up to Esagila, the temple of
the gods, the abode of the king of the universe. Before Bel
and the queen he made his reverent appearance and directed
their step. 1 His splendid sacrifices and pure offerings he
lavished upon Esagila. (In) the shrines (lit., houses) of the
gods, of Esagila and Babylon, he offered his pure sacrifices.'
He betook himself (lit., took the road) to Borsippa, the city of
the warrior of the gods, the exalted, the ferocious Son. 2 He
entered into Ezida, 'the house of destiny 1 , the house of his
unchangeable law. He bowed (in prayer) and directed his
step, reverently, into the presence of Nabu and Nana, his
lords. Large cattle and fat sheep he provided, he offered up
lavishly. (In) the shrines of the gods of Borsippa and Ezida
he offered gifts, — to (all) alike. For the people of Babylon
and Borsippa, the proteges, the freemen of the great gods, he
prepared a feast, he gave them food and wine, he clothed them
in brightly colored garments and presented them with gifts.
625. After the great gods had looked with favor upon
Shalmaneser, the mighty king, king of Assyria, and had “di-
rected” his countenance (?), had received the debasement^)
of his heart and (his) petition (?), had heard his prayer, I de-
parted from Babylon, to Kaldu (Chaldea) I went down. I
drew near to the city of Bakani (v., Bani), the stronghold of
Adinu, son of Dakuri. (That) city I stormed, I captured.
Large numbers of his men I slew. Their heavy booty — their
cattle and their sheep, I carried off. (That) city I destroyed,
I devastated, I burned with fire. From Bakani I departed.
The Euphrates I crossed with him. Against Enradi, the royal
1 A reference to the procession of the gods. 1 1.e., Nabti.
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232 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
city of Adinu, I drew near. Adinu, son of Dakuri, — the ter-
rible splendor of Marduk, the great lord, overwhelmed him
and heavy tribute, — gold, silver, copper, lead, iron
( v ., .... copper, elephants’ tusks, elephants’ hides) I re-
ceived from him. While I was staying on the shore of the
sea, I received the tribute of Iakinu, king of the sea-land, of
Mushallim-Marduk, son of Aukani, — silver, gold, lead, cop-
per elephants’ tusks, elephants’ hides.
IV. FRAGMENTS OF THE ROYAL ANNALS
A. FROM ASSUR
626. From Kalat Sherkat we have three fragments of the annals
as they were edited some time after the sixteenth year. The texts are
published in KAE, II, Nos. 1 12-14. It is possible that the first of
these, which contained a full account of the events of the year of
accession, belongs to a much earlier period.
Titles and geneaology of the king
627. x. (No. 1 1 2) [Shalmaneser, etc
son of Assur-nasir-pal], the exalted [priest], whose priesthood
[was pleasing to the gods, and who brought in submission
to his feet] all [lands] ; illustrious offspring of Tukulti-Urta,
who slew all his foes and [destroyed them like a hurricane.]
Year of accession
628. At that time, at the beginning of my reign, [when I
solemnly seated myself] on the royal throne, [I mustered]
my chariots and armies, [entered] the passes [of Simesi]. Into
the city of Aridu, the stronghold of Ninni, [I advanced].
(That) city I stormed and captured. Many of their warriors
I 'slew 1 , [and their spoil] I carried off. From Aridu I departed,
[to Hubushkia] I drew near. Hubushkia, together with 100
towns [in its neighborhood], I burned with fire. K&ki, king of
'Hubushkia 1 , before the terror of my mighty arms [he be-
came afraid] and he 'made 1 the mountain his stronghold. A
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SHALMANESER III 233
fierce battle [I waged] in the midst of the mountain
Year 3 (?)
629. (Rev.) from the city from the land
of 'Gilzanu 1 like ....
Summary
630 lands and mountains I imposed
tribute and tax, and service
Hunting exploits of the king
631. The gods Urta and Nergal, who love my priest-
hood, have intrusted to me [the wild creatures of the field,
commanding me] to follow the chase X-f-73 wild
oxen, 399, [X lions?] in my hunting(?) chariots
and by my lordly attack, [with I slew.] X+33
elephants from r ambush I slew]
Year of accession
632. 2. (No. 1 13) their plunder
I carried off. From r Aridu I departed], to Hubushkia I drew
near. 'Hubushkia], together with 100 cities of its neighbor-
hood, [I burned with fire 1 . Kaki, king of Hubushkia, became
frightened before the terror of my mighty 'weapons 1 , and
made the mountain his stronghold. I climbed the mountain, I
waged a fierce battle in the mountain. What was left of their
possessions I brought down out of the mountain. From Hu-
bushkia I departed. To the sea of 'Nairi] I advanced. I
washed my weapons in the sea, (and) offered sacrifices to
the gods. On my return from the sea, I received the tribute
of A zfi, the Gilzanite. To my city Assur, I brought it.
Year 1
633. In my first year of reign I crossed the Euphrates at
its flood, and advanced to the sea of [Amurru, of] the setting
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234 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
sun. I washed my weapons in the sea, (and) offered Sacri-
fices to] my gods. Mount Amanus I climbed. 'Logs 1 of cedar
and cypress (pine) I cut. I climbed Mount Lallar, (and) set
up my royal [image] thereon. The cities of the Hattineans,
[of] Ahuni, son of Adini, of the people of Carchemish, of the
people of 'Bargun 1 , 'which are of the other side 1 of the Eu-
phrates, I destroyed I devastated, I burned with fire.
Year 2
634. [In my second year of reign 1 I departed from
Nineveh, to Til-Bursip 1 r I drew near 1 . The cities of Ahffni,
son of Adini, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned [with fire].
I shut him up in his city. The Euphrates I crossed at its
flood. Against Dabigu, a fortress of Hatti, together with the
cities of its neighborhood, and (against) the rest of the
cities of all of (those) countries, I advanced, in my second
campaign. I destroyed, I devastated, I burned (them) with
fire. I received the tribute of all the kings who (live) on the
other side of the Euphrates. My might and power I estab-
lished over all lands.
Year 3
635. [In my third year of reign, Ahfini 1 , son of Adini,
[took fright] before my [terrible] weapons. He left Til-Barsip,
his royal city.
(End of Col. I. Cols. II and III are gone.)
Year 1 5
(Rev.) (Col. IV) .... I slew; their spoil I carried off.
636. From Ennam [I departed]. Up the Euphrates, over
against Milid, [I advanced]. The tribute of Lalli, the Milidi-
an, [silver, gold 1 , lead and copper, I received. My royal image
I made and set it up by the Euphrates,
1 Written, Bur-sa-ip.
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SHALMANESER III 235
Year 16
637. [In the sixteenth] year of my reign I departed from
Arbela. Mount 'Kullar] I crossed. In the land of Zamua,
(which) lay inside, the city of I seized. 1 From Zamua,
which (lay) inside, as far as the land of r Munna I advanced 1 .
From Munna to the land of r Allabria I marched]. Adira(?),
the royal city of Ianzi, the Allabrian, the beautiful golden
door-leaves of his fpalace 1 , [the treasures] of his palace, in
large number, I carried off. From Allabria [I departed ]
Parzua. From Parzua as far as the city of ... . [from Sa-
biddani 1 to the city of Hamban 1 1 burned with fire. The bril-
liance of my majesty(?) I poured [over] them. Marduk-
mudammik, king of [Namri], trusted in the numbers of his
hosts and rode forth against me with his cavalry and (foot)
soldiers to offer battle and fight. By the river Namrite {or,
river of Namri), in front of me he drew up the battle line. I
defeated him, I seized his cavalry. Marduk-mudammik, king
of Namri, became frightened before my terrible weapons; the
cities of Shumurzu, Bit-fAdad 1 , Niku, of the land of Tukliash,
his strong, walled cities, he deserted and fled {lit., went up)
to save his fife. I made a raid upon his palaces. His gods, his
goods, his property, the valuables of his palaces, his horses,
broken to the yoke, in countless number, I carried off. The
tribute of Parti, of Ellipi, in the pass of Tukliash I received.
The chilling terror of my weapons, the brilliance of my majes-
ty [overwhelmed him . . .]
Year 15
638. 3. (No. 1 14) by the Euphrates,
I devastated, I plundered . of the Euphrates
of Assur therein I set up I
. . . . I received from him. My royal image .... I set up.
On my return I marched against Suhni
1 The name of the dty ended in -lu (cf. KAH, JI, No. 114).
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236 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
together with the cities of their neighbor-
hood, I captured, their spoil I carried off. From
Suhni I departed. To I drew near
large cities many of their warriors I slew.
From I departed. To I drew near.
The tribute of [Lalli, the Milidian], silver, gold and lead [I
received]. [My royal image I made and] I set it up by the
Euphrates.
Year 16
639. [In my sixteenth year of reign I departed from Arbela.]
Mount Kullar the city of — tu I seized
I advanced Adira, the royal city of
Ianzi, the Allabrian, of his palace, in large num-
bers I carried off. Parzu
fire his
B. FROM CALAH
640. On two large bull-colossi, from the center of the mound at
Nimrud, we have slightly varying copies of a version of Shalmaneser’s
annals which ended with the eighteenth year (text published in Layard,
Inscriptions, Plates 12 f. and 46 f.). See also Delitzsch, BA, VI, 144 f.,
whose numbering of the lines is here followed.
641 . Shalmaneser, king of all people, prince, etc.
{The text continues in the words of the Monolith Inscription,
§ 596, with the following variants:)
x. the four regions feel themselves threatened, the cities
are shaken;
2. son of Assur-nasir-pal, exalted prince (whose priest-
hood) etc.
3. {After last words of § 597:) Conqueror from the upper
sea and the lower sea of Nairi, and the great sea of the setting
sun, as far as Mount Amanus (Hamani), — the Hittite-land to
its farthest border I brought under my sway. From the source
of the Tigris to the source of the Euphrates my hands con-
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SHALMANESER III 237
quered. From Enzite to Suhni, from Suhni to Melidi, from
Melidi to Daiaeni, from Daiaeni to Arsashkun, from Arsash-
kun to Gilzani, from Gilzani to Hubushkia, from the land of
Namri to the sea of Kaldu, which they call Bitter Sea, I over-
whelmed (all lands, so that they were) like a tell left by the
flood.
642. Traces of the annals of the third year of the reign are left
(cf. KAH, II, 1 13 [Col. I, 2q f.] and 115).
Year 4 (ll. 60-66)
643. In my fourth year of reign in the month
[from Nineveh I departed. The Euphrates I crossed at its
flood]. I pursued [Ahuni, son of Adini], Shitamrat, a moun-
tain [peak on the bank of the Euphrates he made into his
stronghold. That mountain] peak I stormed, I captured.
[Ahuni, together with his gods, his chariots, his horses, his
sons, his daughters (and) his army I carried off, to my city
Assur I brought them.]
644. [In that year] I departed from the city(?), crossed
Mount Kullar [and marched against Zamua. The cities of
Nikdime (and) Nikdiara] I captured. The rest of his troops
[cast themselves upon the sea in wicker boats]. I followed
after them, slew many of them in a sea [battle, and with their
blood I dyed the sea like wool.]
Year 5 (ll. 66-67)
645. [In my fifth year of reign I went up against] Mount
Kashiari, 11 mighty cities I captured. [Anhiti, the Shuprean,
I shut up in his city. I received his many gifts] from him.
Year 6 (ll. 67-75)
646. In my sixth year of reign I departed from Nineveh, I
drew near to the cities on the banks of the Balih River. Be-
fore my powerful weapons, [the land] was afraid and killed
Giammu, [the ruler of their city. Into] Til-mar-ahi I entered
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238 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
That city I seized for myself. From the side of the Balih I de-
parted. The [Euphrates I crossed at its flood. The tribute]
of the kings of the land of Hatti I received. From Hatti I de-
parted. To Halman (Aleppo) I drew near. [I offered sacri-
fices before Adad] of Halman.
647. From Halman I departed, to the city of Karkar I
drew near. Hadad-ezer of Aram (Syria), Irhuleni of Hamath,
together with 12 kings of the seacoast, trusted in each other’s
might and marched forth against me, offering battle and com-
bat. I fought with them. 25,000 of their warriors I slew with
the sword. Their chariots, their cavalry, their weapons of
war, I took from them. To save their lives they fled {lit.,
went up). I mounted boats and went into the sea.
Year 7 {ll . 75-78)
648. In my seventh year of reign I marched against the
cities of Habini of the city of Til-abni. Til-abni, his strong-
hold, together with the cities of its environs, I captured, with
fire I burned (them). From Til-abni I departed, to the head
of the Tigris, the place where the waters came forth, 1 I
marched. I offered sacrifices. The cities which were not sub-
missive to Assur I cut down with the sword. The tribute of
the Nairi- (lands) I received.
Year 8 (ll. 78-79)
649. In my eighth year of reign, in the time of Marduk-
zakir-shumi, king of Karduniash, Marduk-bel-usate, his
brother, revolted against him. To take vengeance, I marched
forth and captured the cities of Me-turnat and Lahiru.
Year g (ll. 79-84)
650. In my ninth year of reign, in a second campaign of
mine, I captured the city of Gananate. Marduk-bel-usate, to
save his life, fled (went up) to Halman. 2 I followed after him.
1 Lit., the place where the coming forth of the waters is located.
7 Cf. § 666. In § 623, written Arman (cf. also § 293).
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SHALMANESER III 239
Marduk-bel-usate, together with the rebels 1 who were with
him, I cut down with the sword. To Babylon I marched. I
offered sacrifices in Babylon, Borsippa and Kutha. I went
down to Kaldu (Chaldea). Their cities I captured. To the
sea which they call Marratu (Bitter Sea) I marched. The
tribute of Adini, son of Dakuri, of Mushallim-Marduk, son
of Ukani, — silver, gold, maple-wood, (and) ivory I received in
Babylon.
Year 10 (ll. 84-89)
651 . In my tenth year of reign I crossed the Euphrates the
eighth time. The cities of Sangar of Carchemish, I destroyed,
I devastated, I burned with fire. From the cities of the Car-
chemisian I departed, to the cities of Arame I drew near.
, Arne, his royal city, I captured. Together with 100 cities of
its neighborhood, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned (it)
with fire. I slew their inhabitants, I carried off their spoil.
652. At that time Hadad-ezer of Aram (Syria), Irhuleni
of Hamath, together with 12 kings of the seacoast, trusted in
each other’s might and advanced against me, offering battle
and combat. I fought with them, I defeated them. Their
chariots, their cavalry, their weapons of war, I took from
them. To save their lives they fled.
Year 11 (ll. 90-96 )
653. In my eleventh year of reign I departed from Nine-
veh. The ninth time I crossed the Euphrates at its flood.
97 cities of Sangar I captured. 100 cities of Arame I captured,
I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. I kept to the
side of Mount Amanus, crossed Mount Iaraku, and de-
scended against the cities of Hamath. The city of Ashta-
maku, together with 99 (smaller) cities I captured, their in-
habitants I slew, their spoil I carried off.
1 Lit., sinners.
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2 4 o ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
654. At that time Hadad-ezer of Aram (Syria), Irhuleni
of Hamath, together with 12 kings of the seacoast, trusted in
each other’s might and advanced against me, offering battle
and combat. I fought with them, I defeated them. 10,000 of
their warriors I slew with the sword. Their chariots, their
cavalry, their weapons of war I took from them.
655. On my return march, I captured Apparazu, the
stronghold of Arame. At that time I received the tribute of
Kalparundi of Hattina, — silver, gold, lead, horses, cattle,
sheep, (woolen) garments, linen-garments. I ascended Mount
Amanus and cut cedar logs.
Year 12 (ll. 96-98 )
656. In my twelfth year of reign I departed from Nine-
veh, I crossed the Euphrates for the tenth time. I marched
against the land of Pakarahubuni. The inhabitants ran away
and betook themselves to the steep mountain. I stormed the
mountain peak, captured it and slew their people. Their
booty, their goods, I brought down out of the mountain.
Year 13 (ll. 98-99)
657. In my thirteenth year of reign, I entered the pass of
the city of Ishtarate. I marched against the land of Iatu.
Iatu I captured in its entirety, its inhabitants I slew, their
booty I carried off in immeasurable (quantities).
Year 14 (ll. 99-102 )
658. In my fourteenth year of reign I mustered (the
people) of the whole wide land, in countless numbers. With
120,000 of my soldiers I crossed the Euphrates at its flood.
659. At that time Hadad-ezer of Aram (Syria), Irhuleni
of Hamath, together with 12 kings of the seacoast, the upper
and the lower, mustered their numerous armies, of countless
numbers, (and) advanced against me. I battled with them. I
defeated them. Their chariots, their cavalry, I destroyed,
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SHALMANESER in 241
their weapons of war I took from them. To save their lives
they fled.
Year 15 (ll. 102-67)
660. In my fifteenth year of reign I marched against the
land of Nairi. At the sources of the Tigris I cut an image of
my royal self in the cliffs of the mountain, by the (place
where the water) breaks forth. I wrote thereon the glory of
my might, the triumphs (lit., ways, issues) of my power.
661 . Into the pass of the land of Tunibuni I entered. The
cities of Arame of Urartu, as far as the source of the Euphra-
tes, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
662. To the source of the Euphrates I advanced. I offered
sacrifices to my gods. The weapons of Assur I washed there-
in. Asia, ki ng of Daianu, laid hold of my feet. Tribute and
tax I received from him. My royal image I fashioned and set
up in the midst of his city.
Year 18 (ll. 41-52 )
663. In my eighteenth year of reign 1 I crossed the Eu-
phrates for the sixteenth time. Hazael of Aram (Syria)
trusted in the masses of his troops. He mustered his troops in
great numbers. Mount Saniru, a mountain peak which is in
front of Mount Lebanon, he made his stronghold. I fought
with him, I defeated him. 16,000 of his warriors I slew with
the sword. 1,131 of his chariots, 470 of his cavalry, together
with his camp, I took from him.
C. ADDITIONAL FRAGMENTS FROM ASSUR
664. Three more fragments of Shalmaneser’s annals, found at
Assur (Kalat Sherkat), are here given. The first (KAH, II, No. 109) is
a duplicate, with slight variants, of the Monolith Inscription (Col. I,
11 . 1-7); the second (KAH, II, No. no) is a duplicate, with additions,
of parts of the Obelisk Inscription; the third (ibid., No. 115) has the
end of the third year’s campaign as given in the Monolith, and the be-
ginning of the fourth as given in the Obelisk.
1 This paragraph stands immediately after the Introduction (§§ 641 {.).
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242 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
665. 1. (No. 109) Assur, the great lord, king of all the
great gods, Ea, king of the deep, lord of wisdom,
Shamash, judge of heaven and earth,
Ishtar, lady of battle and combat, who lordship,
might Shalmaneser, king ruler
who finds r (his ways) among the most difficult paths]
666. 2. (No. no) (Rev.) [To] Halman he went up ... .
. . . I cut down with the sword To Chal-
dea I went down the tribute of Adini, son of
[Dakfiri] — silver, gold, maple-wood
Year 10
667. In my tenth year of reign for the eighth time f I
crossed 1 the Euphrates from the cities of
Carchemish to together with 100 cities of
[their 1 environs At that time Hadad-ezer of
[Aram (Damascus)] trusted in one another’s
might their defeat I accomplished. Their chari-
ots
Year 11
668. In my eleventh year of reign [I departed] from Nine-
veh [the cities 1 of r Arame].
Year 3
669. 3. (No. 115) of Kiaki of
By the pass of Kiruri, opposite (in front of)
Arbela I came out.
Year 4
670. [In the eponymy of Daian- Assur], I departed from
Nineveh. [I crossed the Euphrates at its flood]. I pursued
Ahfini, son of Adini. r Shitamrat a mountain peak] by the
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SHALMANESER III 243
bank of the Euphrates, [which hangs like a cloud] in the sky,
[he made] his stronghold. [The mountain peak] I stormed,
I captured. [Ahuni, with the cities, his chariots], his horses,
[his sons, his daughters and his arms] I carried off, [to Assyria
I brought (them).]
D. ANOTHER FRAGMENT FROM CALAH(?)
671. A fragment of the annals is published in IIIR, Hate 5,
No; 6 . It gives the events of the eighteenth year in greater detail than
our other texts.
672. In my eighteenth year of reign I crossed the Eu-
phrates for the sixteenth time. Hazael of Aram trusted in the
mass of his troops, mustered his armies in great numbers,
made Mount Saniru, a mountain peak at the front of the
Lebanons, his stronghold. I battled with him. I accom-
plished his overthrow. 6,000 of his warriors I slew with the
sword. 1,121 of his chariots, 470 of his cavalry, together
with his camp, I took away from him. To save his life, he
went (up into the mountain). I followed after him. In Da-
mascus, his royal city, I shut him up. His orchards I cut
down. I advanced as far as Mount Hauran. Countless cities
I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. Their spoil,
without number, I carried off. To Mount Ba’li-ra’si, a head-
land) of the sea, I marched. My royal image I set up there.
At that time I received the tribute of the men of Tyre, Sidon
and of Jehu, son of Omri.
V. THE THRONE INSCRIPTION
673. On the throne of the black-basalt seated figure of Shalma-
neser, found at Kalat Sherkat, and now in the British Museum, stands
the following commemoratory inscription (text, Layard, Inscriptions,
Plates 76 f.) :
674. Shalmaneser, the mighty king, king of the universe,
the king without a rival, the autocrat, the powerful one of the
four regions (of the world), who shatters (the might of) the
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244 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
princes of the whole (world), who has smashed all of his foes
like pots. The mighty hero, the unsparing, who gives no
quarter in battle; son of Assur-nasir-pal, king of the universe,
king of Assyria; (grand)son of Tukulti-Urta, king of the uni-
verse, king of Assyria. Conqueror from the upper sea to the
lower sea, — (the lands of) Haiti, Luhute, Adri, Labnana,
Kue, Tabali, Melidi. Discoverer of the sources of the Tigris
and the Euphrates.
To avenge Marduk-zakir-shumi, I marched against Ak-
kad. Marduk-bel-usate, his younger brother, I smote. In-
to Kutha, Babylon (and) Borsippa I entered. To the gods of
the cities of Akkad I offered my sacrifices. I went down to
Kaldu (Chaldea). The tribute of all of the kings of Kaldu I
received.
675. At that time the great wall of my city Assur, and its
outer wall, which the kings, my fathers, who lived before my
time, had built aforetime, — those walls had become ruinous
and old. From the Metal-Workers’ ( Gurgurri ) Gate up to the
Tigris, I took the two of them for my first allotment^).
Their site(s) I cleared. To their foundations I went down.
Upon a base (lit., structure) of great (blocks) of mountain
stone I completely (re)built them from their foundations to .
their top. The steles of the kings, my fathers, I returned to
their places.
676. At that time I made a new (statue) of the god Kidu-
du, the guardian of the wall, — he had perished with that wall.
677. May (some) future prince restore the ruins of the
walls. My inscription (inscribed name) let him return to its
place. (Then) Assur will hear his prayers.
The name of the great wall is Sha-melammu-shu-mata-
katmu (“Whose Splendor Covers the Land”). The name of
the outer wall is Munirriti-kibrate (“Oppressor of the Four
Regions”). U 1 & is guardian of his city. Kidudu is guardian
of his wall.
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SHALMANESER III 245
678. The name of the Metal-Workers’ Gate of the great
wall, the entrance of all lands, is Sanikat-malke (“Subduer of
Princes”), — (the name) Metal-Workers’ Gate is preferred by
its people (artisans). The gate of the entrance of the king,
(by) the mushlal , 1 (is called) Musharshidat-aratte (“She Who
Firmly Establishes the Throne”). The gate of the temple
towers (is called) Assur-mukannish-shapsute (“Assur Is Sub-
duer of the Proud”). The Assur-gate (is called) Banat-
f Lamassu-sharri ] (“The King’s Guardian Deity Shines”).
The gate of the court(?) (is called) Shamash-nir-multarhi
(“Shamash Is Destroyer of the Arrogant”). The gate of
[Shamash] (is called) Rasinat-kurunu-ilani (“Wine-pourer of
the Gods”). The gate of the river landing(?) (is called) Ikkib -
sha-la-magari (“Merciless Punishment”). The gate of
tisirri 3
VI. THE STATUE INSCRIPTION
679. The Berlin statue of Shalmaneser also came from Assur
(Kalat-Sherkat) (text published in KAH, I, No. 30).
680. Shalmaneser, the great king, the mighty king, king
of all the four regions (of the world), the powerful, the mighty
rival of the princes of the whole earth (universe), the great
ones, the kings; son of Assur-nasir-pal, king of the universe,
king of Assyria; (grand)son of Tukulti-Urta, king of the uni-
verse, king of Assyria; conqueror of Enzi, Gilzanu (and) r Hu-
bushkia 1 , fUrartu 1 , — their overthrow I brought about and like
fire I burst (came) upon them. Ahuni, son of Adini, together
with his gods, his armies, his land, his household goods (lit.,
the property of his house), r I snatched away from him 1 for the
people of my land.
681. At that time I defeated Hadad-ezer of Aram (Syria)
together with 12 princes, his allies, 29(7)000 warriors, his
fighters, I brought low like shubi. The rest of his armies I cast
1 See Index to Vol. II. 1 Cf. list of Assur gates in KAV, No. 42, III, 21 f.
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246 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
(lit., poured) into the Orontes River. To save their lives they
went up (into the mountain). Hadad-ezer died. Hazael, the
son of a nobody, seized the throne, mustered his large army
and came out against me, offering battle and fight. I battled
with him, his defeat I brought about. The wall of his camp
I seized from him. To save his life he went up (into the moun-
tain). As far as Damascus, his royal city, I advanced. (Left
Hip ) His orchards [I cut down] [for] Anu and
r Adad T pacification I received . . .
682. (Back) A second time I marched against Namri.
Ianzti (written, Sianzu) , king of Namri, together with his
gods, the spoil of his land, the property of his palace, I car-
ried away to my city Assur. To Mount Tunni (Taurus), the
silver mountain, (and) Mount Muli, the marble mountain, I
went up. The image of my valor I set up between them. Im-
measurable quantities of marble I carried away. Against Kfie
(and) Tabalu I marched. Their lands I smote, to mounds and
ruins I turned (them). Kati, the wicked enemy (written as
plural), I shut up in the chief city of his kingdom. The (terri-
fying) splendor of my sovereignty overcame him and he
brought his daughter, with her dowry, to Kalhu (Calah), and
seized my feet.
683. At that time I rebuilt the walls of my city Assur
from their foundations to their summits. I made an image of
my royal self and set it up in the Metal-Workers’ Gate. The
name of the great wall was Sha-melammu-shu-mata-katmu
(“Whose Splendor Covers the Land”), the name of the outer
wall, Munirriti-kibrdti (“Oppressor of the Four Regions”).
VH. INSCRIPTIONS AT THE SOURCE OF
THE TIGRIS
684. Shalmaneser’s inscriptions at the source of the Tigris have
been edited by Lehman-Haupt ( Materialien , Nos. 20 f. [pp. 31 f.]).
685. 1, Shalmaneser, the great king, the mighty king,
king of the universe, king of Assyria, king of all the great peo-
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SHALMANESER III 247
pies, who with the aid of Shamash (and) Adad, the gods, his
helpers, marched forth in might and brought under his [sway
(hand)] mighty mountain (regions) from the rising sun to the
setting sun; the powerful, unsparing king, who advanced in
pursuit of his enemies and trampled down victoriously
streams and difficult mountains, (so that they were) like a
ruin {tell) left by the flood; son of Assur-nasir-pal, king of As-
syria, (grand)son of Tukulti-Urta, king of Assyria, conqueror
from the sea of the land of r Nairi to the Great Sea of the [set-
ting] sun.
686. The land of Hatti to its farthest border, the land of
IVfelidi 1 , the lands of Daiani (and) Suhme, Arzashkun, the
royal city of r Arame of Urartu 1 , the lands of Gilzanu (and)
Hubushkia, from the source of the Tigris to the source of
Euphrates, from the sea of the land of Zamua, which is on the
inside, to the sea of the land of Kaldu, I brought in submis-
sion [to my feet]. To 'Babylon 1 I marched. I offered sacri-
fices (there) and went down to the land of Kaldu. Their cities
I captured, their tribute I received. Hadad-ezer of Aram
(Syria), Irhulini of Hamath, together with 15 cities of the
shore of the sea, advanced [against me]. For the fourth time
I fought with them, I brought about their overthrow. [Their
chariots, their cavalry I destroyed 1 ; their battle equipment [I
took away from them. To save their lives they fled {lit., went
up).]
687. 2. To Assur, Sin, Shamash, Adad (and) Ishtar, the
great gods, who love my kin g ship, who make great my name:
Shalmaneser, king of the universe, king of Assyria, son of
Assur-nasir-pal, [king of Assyria], (grand)son of Tukulti-
Urta, king of Assyria; conqueror [from] the sea of the land of
Nairl to the [Great Sea] of the setting sun.
688. The Hittite-land, in its entirety I conquered and
Into the passes of the land of Enzite [I entered],
the lands of Suhme, Daiani (and) Urartu, in its entirety, I
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248 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
conquered. Against Gilzanu I advanced. The tribute of the
people of Gilzanu I received. For the third time I marched
against the land of Nairi. At the source of Tigris I wrote my
name.
689. 3. Shalmaneser, the great king, the [mighty king,
king of the universe, king of Assyria, king of all of the great
peoples, the prince], the priest of Assur, (who) with the aid
of Shamash (and) Adad, the r gods his helpers, marched forth
in might and brought under his sway] mighty mountain
(regions) from the rising [sun to the setting sun, the powerful],
the unsparing king, who, fighting at the front (head) and r ad-
vancing in pursuit of his foes], has trampled (them) down vic-
toriously, (so that they were) like a ruin (left by) the flood.
690. Conqueror [from the sea of the land of Nairi to the
Great Sea] of the setting sun, who(?) brought into submission
at my feet the Hittite-land in its 'entirety, Melidi, Daiani,
Suhme], Arazashkun, the royal city of [Arame of Urartu,
the land of Gilzani], the city of Hubushkia, the land of Urartu
[from the source of Tigris to] the source of the Euphrates,
from the sea of the land of Zamua, which is on the inside, to
the sea of the land of Kaldu. To Babylon I marched. Sacri-
fices I offered in Babylon, Borsippa (and) Kutha. I went
down against the land of Kaldu. Their cities I captured. The
tribute of the kings who [had fled?] from Kaldu, [I received].
The terror of my armies overpowered (them), as far [as the
Bitter Sea].
691. [Hadad-ezer], king of Aram (Syria) together with 12
kings of the 'Hittite-land 1 [advanced against me]. For the
fourth time I fought with them and I brought about their
overthrow. 'Their chariots, their cavalry,] their battle equip-
ment, I took away from them; to [save their lives they fled.]
692. 4. To Assur, Adad, Sin, Shamash, and Ishtar, the
great kings, who love my kingship, who, for a rule of power
and might(?) have made great my honored name: Shalma-
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SHALMANESER III 249
neser, king of all peoples, viceroy of Assur, the mighty king,
king of Assyria; son of Assur-nasir-pal, king of the universe,
king of Assyria, (grand)son of Tukulti-Urta, king of the uni-
verse, king of Assyria. Conqueror from the sea of the land of
Nairi to the sea of the setting sun. The Hittite-land in its
entirety I conquered. Into the passes of the land of r Enzite
I entered 1 . Suhme, Daiani (and) Urartu I conquered. For
the second time I received tribute of Gilzanu. For the third
time I marched against the land of Nairi. At the source of
the Tigris I wrote my name.
VIII. MISCELLANEOUS BUILDING INSCRIPTIONS
A. FROM ASSUR
693. Before the removal to Calah, Shalmaneser was very active in
the rebuilding of palace walls and temples at Assur.
Bricks from the palace, with inscriptions of varying length, pub-
lished in Layard, op. cit., Plate 7 7 5 ; Lehman-Haupt, op. cit., No. 18;
British Museum, bricks Nos. 90,221-223; KAH, Nos. 104, 105, 1
107; and a bowl fragment in the British Museum (No. 56-9-9, 142),
give only the genealogy of the king.
694. x. KAH, II, No. 107:
Palace of Shalmaneser, king of the universe, king of As-
syria; son of Assur-nasir-pal, king of the universe, king of As-
syria; (grand)son of Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, king
of Assyria.
695. 2. KAH, II, No. 101, has an additional phrase at the end.
Shalmaneser, the mighty king, king of the universe, the
king of Assyria; son of Assur-nasir-pal, the mighty king, king
of the universe, king of Assyria; (grand)son of Tukulti-Urta,
king of Assyria; (is) builder of (this) house.
696. 3. A somewhat different text is found in KAH, II, No. 108.
Shalmaneser prefect of Enlil, priest of
Assur, son of Assur-nasir-pal, priest of Assur; son of Tukulti-
Urta, priest of Assur.
* On this brick is drawn a rough picture of a rtmu, “wild-ox.”
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2 5 o ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
697. 4. Inscriptions recording the restoration of the city wall are
given below ( KAH , I, No. 29 [ibid., II, No. 96, abbreviated form;
bricks]) :
Shalmaneser, king of the universe, [king of Assyria];
son of Assur-nasir-pal, king of the universe, [king of Assyria] ;
(grand) son of Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, [king of
Assyria]. (Brick) from the wall of Assur.
698. 5. KAH, II, No. 102, brick:
Shalmaneser, the mighty king, king of the universe, king
of Assyria; son of Assur-nasir-pal, the mighty king, king of
the universe, king of Assyria; (grand) son of Tukulti-Urta,
the mighty king, king of the universe, king of Assyria; builder
of the city wall of Assur.
699. 6. KAH, I, Nos. 26-28 (cf. Andrae, Fest., p. 173.) Zigatu-
inscriptions:
Shalmaneser (king of the universe, king of Assyria) (v.,
priest of Assur), son of Assur-nasir-pal, king (of the universe,
king of Assyria) (»., as above), son of Tukulti-Urta, king
(of the universe, king of Assyria) (y., as above), for his life
and the peace of his city, the wall ( v ., walls) and its gates,
which aforetime, the kings who went before me, had built,
had fallen to decay. I rebuilt it in its totality, from its founda-
tion to its coping (y., lip), and laid down zigdte.
700. Let the prince who comes after (me) renew its ruins,
put back to its place the tablet with my name (v., when the
wall and its gates shall become weak, rebuild them), and Assur
(v., Ishtar), Adad and the great gods, will hear his prayers.
Let him return to their places of zigdte. Month of Sha-
kinate, the twenty-eighth day, of the eponymy of lahalum, 1
chief minister.
701. 7. KAH, II, No. 97, ziga/M-inscription:
Shalmaneser, prefect of Assur; son of Assur-nasir-pal,
prefect of Assur; grandson of Tukulti-Urta, prefect of Assur;
for his life, (for) the welfare of his city.
1 Twenty-sixth year.
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SHALMANESER III 251
9 702. The walls of its gates, which aforetime the kings who
went before me had built, had fallen to decay. Its ruins from
its foundation to its top (lip) I repaired. I set up (my)
zigatu. Let (some) future prince, when the wall of that gate
shall fall to ruins, (re)build it. (Then) Assur and Adad will
hear his prayers. Let him restore (my) zigati to their places.
703. 8. KAH, II, No. 100, alabaster slab:
Shalmaneser, king of the universe, king of Assyria; son of
Assur-nasir-pal, king of Assyria; (grand)son of Tukulti-
Urta, king of Assyria. Booty of the great sea of Amurru, of
the setting sun, and of the sea of Chaldea, which they call
the Bitter Sea, I got into my possession. When the former
wall of my city of Assur, which Tukulti-Urta, son of Shal-
maneser, had built aforetime, fell to decay, I cleared away
its ruins, I reached its foundation. From its foundation
walls to its top I rebuilt, I completed it. I made it more
beautiful than it was before. I made it splendid. I set up my
memorial stele and my cylinder ( temen ).
704. Let (some) future prince restore its ruins, return my
inscription to its place. (Then) Assur will hear his prayers.
705. The name of the outer wall ( shalhu ) is “Destroyer
of the (Four) Regions.”
706. 9. Unpublished inscription on a gold tablet in the collections
of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago:
Shalmaneser, prefect of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of
Assur-nasir-pal, priest of Assur, (grand)son of Tukulti-Urta,
priest of Assur, conqueror from the upper sea to (lit., and) the
lower sea, even the sea of Chaldea, which they call the Bitter
Sea, who marched to the Hittite-land, who brought it under
his sway to its farthest border: to Babylon, Borsippa (and)
Kutha I went. I offered my sacrifices.
707. When the old (lit., former) wall of my city Assur,
which aforetime Tukulti-Urta, son of Shalmaneser, a king
who lived before me, had built aforetime, fell into ruins, I
built it anew.
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252 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
708. 10. Brick inscription recording the restoration of the temple
of Belit-nipha (text in KAH, II, No. 98).
Palace of Shalmaneser, prefect of Enlil (Bel) (v., king of
the universe) ; son of Assur-nasir-pal, priest of Assur (v., king
of the universe) ; (grand)son of Tukulti-Urta, priest of Assur
(y., kin g of the universe) . When the temple of Belit-nipha,
my lady, which Tukulti-Urta, my ancestor, priest of Assur,
had built aforetime, fell to decay, (I), Shalmaneser, (v., adds,
king of Assyria), restored it.
709. n. Brick inscription recording the making of a golden image
of the god Armada (text in KAE, II, No. 103).
Shalmaneser, prefect of Enlil (Bel), priest of Assur; son of
Assur-nasir-pal, priest of Assur; (grand)son of Tukulti-Urta,
priest of Assur. The (image of the) god Armada, of the tem-
ple of Assur, my lord, which had not existed before, which in
the cunning of my heart I made of gold.
710. 12. Brick inscription recording repairs on the wall of the
AnuAdad temple (text in KAH, II, No. 106).
Palace of Shalmaneser, king of the universe, king of As-
syria, son of Assur-nasir-pal, king of Assyria, (grand)son of
Tukulti-Urta, king of Assyria. (From) the retaining-wall
( kisirtu ) of the temple of Anu and Adad.
B. FROM CALAH
71 1. The completion of the zigurrat at Calah (Nimrud) was one
of Shalmaneser’s building achievements. Bricks from the structure
have found their way into more than one European museum. The
texts vary in length, according to the fulness of the genealogy. See
Layard, Inscriptions, Plate 78 B; Lehman-Haupt, Materialien, Nos.
13-17; British Museum, Nos. 90,224-27; 98,068.
712. Shalmaneser, the great king, the mighty king, king
of the universe, king of Assyria, son of Assur-nasir-pal, the
great king, the mighty king, king of the universe, king of As-
syria, (grand) son of Tukulti-Urta, king of the universe, king
of Assyria: (Brick belonging to) the structure of the zigurrat
of Kalhu (Calah).
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CHAPTER XIII
SHAM SHi-AD AD V, SAMMURAMAT, ADAD-
NIRARI III AND ASSUR-NIRARI V
A. SHAMSHi-ADAD V
I. THE MONOLITH INSCRIPTION
713. On a monolith stele from the southwest palace at Nimrftd
(Calah), now in the British Museum (No. no), is inscribed in archaic
characters the record of the chief events of the early years 1 of the reign
of Shamshi-Adad V (823-810 B.c.) ; and this record has to do chiefly
with the struggles the son of Shalmaneser had in regaining the throne
after the serious revolt which marked the close of the reign of his father.
The text is published in IR, Plates 29-31.
The inscription on a fragment of another stele (British Museum,
No. 115,020) is a duplicate of that of the monolith stele.
714. To Urta, the powerful lord, stalwart hero, exalted
leader of the gods, who holds the bolt of heaven and earth,
who directs all (things), the exalted (one of) the Igigi, puis-
sant warrior, whose power is not to be withstood, first
(among) the Anunnaki, the brilliant champion of the gods,
who has no equal, the mighty Udgallu (the Storm-god), the
exalted lord, who rides upon the storm, whose gaze, like that
of Shamash, light of the gods, penetrates the (four) regions
(of the world). Champion of the gods, who radiates splendor,
who is full of terror, possessing all {lit., perfect in) might and
power {lit., mighty powers), first-born of Enlil, the defense of
the gods, his begetters, creature {or, offspring) of Esharra,
conquering son, who looms large in the brilliant firmament(?)
(as?) a powerful(?) weapon; offspring of Kutushar, lady of the
1 For the events of the later years of his reign see the Eponym List with Notes
(Vol. II, §§ 119s f.).
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254 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
temples (lit., those) of Anu and Dagan; the utterance of
whose mouth is unchangeable; the almighty, the exalted, the
gigantic, the powerful (lit., possessor of strength), whose
limbs (members) are exceedingly strong (lit., well devel-
oped); big-hearted (lit., wide-hearted), (and) cunning (lit., a
belly of cunning) ; champion of the gods, the lord, who dwells
in Calah, the splendid seat, the spacious place, the abode of
Udgallu: Shamshi-Adad, the mighty king, the king of the
universe, without a rival, guardian (shepherd) of sanctuaries,
scepter-bearer of sacred places, ruler of all lands, who orders
all things, leader, whose name the gods have named from of
old; the holy priest, who provides (abundantly) for Esharra,
without ceasing, who maintains the temple cults; who turns
his thought (lit., heart) to the work (to be done on) Ehar-
sagkurkurra (and) the (other) temples of his land, and gives
(them) his attention; son of Shalmaneser, king of the four
regions (of the world), (victorious) rival of the princes of all
(countries), who tramples down (all) lands; grandson of
Assur-nasir-pal, who received tribute and gifts from all the
(four) regions (of the world).
715. Where Assur-danin-apli, in the time of Shalmaneser,
his father, acted wickedly, bringing about sedition, rebellion
(and) wicked plotting, caused the land to rise in revolt, pre-
pared for war, brought the people of Assyria, north and south,
to his side, and made bold speeches(?), brought the cities into
the rebellion, and set his face to begin strife and battle,
Nineveh, Adia, Shibaniba, Imgur-Bel, Ishshibri, Bit-Ir-
piti(?), Shimu, Shibhinish, Udnuna, Kibshuna, Kurban,
Tidu, Nabulu, Kahat, Assur, Urakka, Amat, Huzirina, Dfir-
balati, Dariga, Zaban, Lubdu, Arrapha (Arbaha), Arba-ilu,
together with Amedi, Til-abne, Hindanu, total 27 cities,
along with their fortifications, which had revolted against
Shalmaneser, king of the four regions (of the world), my
father, and which had gone to the side of Assur-danin-apli, —
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SHAMSHl-ADAD V 255
at the command of the great gods, my lords, I brought (these)
into submission at my feet.
First campaign
716. In my first campaign, in which I went up against
Na’iri, — tribute (consisting of) horses, broken to the yoke,
I received from all of the kings of Na’iri. At that time I cast
down Na’iri, to its farthest border, as with a net. The terri-
tory (lit., border) of Assyria, from Paddira of the land of
Na’iri to Kar-Shalmaneser, which is opposite Carchemish,
from Zaddi of the border of Akkad to Enzi, (and) from Aridi
to the land of Suhi, — at the command of Assur, Shamash,
Adad and Ishtar, the gods, my allies, they bowed themselves
at my feet, like — .
Second campaign
717. In my second campaign, Mutarris-Assur, the Rab-
shake, a clever, experienced soldier (lit., learned in battle), a
man of judgment (sense), I dispatched and sent against Na’iri
with my army and camp. As far as the upper sea of the set-
ting sun he marched. 300 cities of Sharsina (or, Hirsina?) , son
of Mektiara, 11 strong cities, together with 200 (small) cities
of Ushpina, he captured. He smote their inhabitants, their
spoil, — their property, their goods, their gods, their sons,
their daughters, he carried off. Their cities he destroyed, he
devastated and burned with fire. On his return (march) he
smote the inhabitants of Sunbai. Tribute (consisting of)
horses, broken to the yoke, he received from all of the kings of
Na’iri.
Third campaign
718. In my third campaign I crossed the Zaban River,
passed over Mount Kullar, and went up to Na’iri. The
tribute of Dadi of Hubushkia, of Sharsina, son of Mekdiara,
of the lands of the Sunbai, Manai, Parsuai, Taurlai, (consist-
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256 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
ing of) horses, broken to the yoke, I received. The Mesai, —
the terrifying splendor of Assur, my lord, overcame them.
Before the terrible brilliance of my powerful arms they be-
came frightened and forsook their cities. They took to the
steep mountain(s). Three peaks which hung like clouds from
the heaven, whither the bird on the wing never comes, they
made into their strongholds. I pursued them. Those moun-
tain peaks I besieged. In one day I swooped upon them like
an eagle, I smote large numbers of them. Their spoil, —
their property, their goods, their cattle, their asses, their
flocks, horses, broken to the yoke, (Bactrian) camels with two
humps, countless numbers of them, I brought down out of
the mountains. 500 cities of their environs I destroyed, I
devastated, I burned with fire.
719. To Gizilbunda I marched. The city of Kinaki I cap-
tured, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. The
Bishbizida - stone mountain I crossed. The tribute of Tita-
mas lika of Sasiashu, Kiara of Karsibutu, (consisting of)
horses, broken to the yoke, I received. All of Gizilbunda, —
the awe-inspiring splendor of my majesty and the mighty on-
set of my battle (-array) overwhelmed them and they forsook
their many cities. Into Urash, their stronghold, they entered.
That city I stormed, I captured. With the blood of their
warriors I dyed the squares of their cities like wool. 6,000 of
them I smote. Pirishati, their king, together with 1,200 of
his fighters, I seized alive. Their spoil, — their property, their
goods, their cattle, their flocks, their horses, vessels of silver,
splendid gold, and copper, in countless numbers, I carried off.
(Their cities) I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
The tribute of Engur of Sibaru I received. My royal image I
fashioned in heroic size. The might of Assur, my lord, my
glory, valor and every deed of my hand, which I had per-
formed in Na’iri, I inscribed thereon. In Sibaru their strong-
hold, in the land of Gizilbundu, I set (it) up.
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SHAMSHl-ADAD V 257
720. Against the land of the Matai (Medes) I marched.
Before the terrible weapons of Assur and my mighty battle
onslaught, which none can stop, they became frightened,
they forsook their cities, they went up into the white moun-
tain. After them I marched. 2,300 (men) of Hanisiruka, of
the Matai, I smote. 140 of his cavalry I took away from him.
His property, his goods, without measure, I took back (to As-
syria). Sagbitu, (his) royal city, together with 1,200 of his
(smaller) cities, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with
fire. On my return march, I crossed over the Aftm-stone
mountain.
721. Munsuartu, of Araziash, together with 1,070 of his
warriors, I struck down with the sword. With their bodies
I filled the gullies and mountain torrents. Their sons, their
daughters, their property, their goods, their cattle, their
flocks, the armies of my land carried off as tribute. Their
cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
722. At that time the tribute of Sirashme of the land of
Babarura, of Amahar of the city of Harmeshandu, of Zarishu
of the land of Parsanu, of Zarishu of the city of Hunduru, of
Sanashu of the land of Kipabarutaku, of Ardara of the land
of Ushtashshu, of Shuma of the land of Kinuku, of Tatai of
the land of Gingibiru, of Bisirain of the land of Aramu, of
Parushta of the land of Kibarushu, of Ashpashtatauk of the
land of Uilu, of Amamash of the land of Kingishtilenzah, of
Tarsihu of the land of Masiraush, of Mamanish of the land of
Luksu, of Zanzar of the land of Dimamu, of Sirashu of the
land of Simguru, of Gishta of the land of Abdanu, of Adadanu
of the land of Asatu, of Ursi of the land of Ginhuhtu, of Bara
of the land of Ginzinu, of Arua of the land of Kindutaush,
of Kirnakush of the land of Kibru, of Zabanu of the land of
Zuzaruru, of Irtisati of the land of Gingirdu, of Barzuta of the
land of Taurlu, of Shfla of the land of Nani- .... of Satiriai,
of Artasiraru, kings of Na’iri, all of them, at the command of
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258 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
Assur, Shamash (and) Adad, the gods, my allies, — tribute and
gifts consisting of horses, broken to the yoke, for all time, I
imposed upon them. From Mount Kullar, the great moun-
tain, to the sea of the setting sun, like Adad, the thunderer, I
thundered(?) over them. Terrifying splendor I poured out
upon them.
Fourth campaign
723. In my fourth campaign, in Simdnu, the fifteenth
day, I gave command to march against Karduniash. The
Zaban River I crossed. Between the cities of Zaddi and Za-
ban I passed through the gorge(?) of the mountain. I killed
three fierce lions. Mount Ebih I traversed and besieged the
city of Me-tumat. The terrifying splendor of Assur and
Marduk, the great gods, my lords, overwhelmed them. They
laid hold of my feet. Those people I brought out, together
with their property (and) their gods, into my (own) country I
carried them and counted them among the people of my land.
724. The Turnat River I crossed in its flood. Karne, his
royal city, together with 200 cities of its environs, I destroyed.
I devastated, I burned with fire. Mount Ialman I crossed.
The city of Di’bina I besieged. The terrible splendor of Assur
overwhelmed them. They laid hold of my feet. 3 chief-
tains^), together with their people, their property (and) their
goods, I carried away from that city. The cities of Datebir
(and) Izduia, which are situated at the side of the city of
Gananati, together with 200 cities of their environs, I cap-
tured, 330 of them I smote. Their booty, — their property,
their goods (and) their gods, I carried away. Their planta-
tions I cut down. Their cities I destroyed, I devastated, I
burned with fire. The people who had fled before my terrible
weapons, entered Kiribti-alani, their stronghold. That city I
stormed, I took. 500 of them I smote. Their booty, — their
property, their goods, their gods, their cattle, their flocks, I
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SHAMSHi-ADAD V 259
carried off. The city I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with
fire.
725. All of Akkad, who before the terrible brilliance of
my furious arms and my mighty battle (onslaught), which
cannot be withstood, had become frightened and into Dfir-
Papsukal, the royal city, which was situated in an expanse
of waters, like the shoot (or, stalk, of a plant) in a stream,
(and which) was not easily approached by my armies, they
(i.e., the people of Akkad) with (the inhabitants of) the 457
cities which were therein (i.e., Akkad), entered. That city I
captured in the (course of) my advance. 13,000 of their war-
riors I cut down with the sword. Their blood like the waters
of a stream I caused to run through the square of their city.
The corpses of their fighters I piled in heaps. 3,000 1 captured
alive. His royal bed, his royal couch, the treasure of his pal-
ace, the women of his palaces, his property, his gods and the
whole equipment (lit., everything desired) of his palace, with-
out number, I carried away from that city. His captive war-
riors were given to the soldiers of my land like grasshoppers.
That city I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
726. Marduk-balatsu-ikbi trusted in the multitudes of
his armies and mustered (the armies of) Kaldu, Elam, Nam-
ri, Arumu, along with his numerous, his countless, troops. He
advanced against me offering battle and combat. Over
against (or, above) the Daban River, opposite Dfir-Papsu-
kal, he drew up his battle line. With him I fought. His defeat
I accomplished. 5,000 of his hordes I cut down, 2,000 I cap-
tured alive, 100 of his chariots, 200 of his cavalry, his royal
tent, his camp bed, I took from him.
H. MISCELLANEOUS INSCRIPTIONS
727. At Kalat Sherkat (Assur) were found a number of inscribed
votive pearls and a brick inscription. The text of the inscription on the
pearls, which varies somewhat, according to the fulness of the gene-
alogy, is published in KAH, I, Nos. 31-33.
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26o ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
728. 1. To Belit, chief of the gods, his lady, Shamshi-
Adad, viceroy of Enlil, priest of Assur, son of Shalmaneser,
priest of Assur, (grand) son of Assur-nasir-pal, priest of Assur,
for his life, has presented (this pearl).
729. 2. The brick inscription, KAH, I, No. 34, reads:
Shamshi-Adad, builder of the temple of Assur.
B. Sammuramat (Samiramis)
730. Among the memorial steles of the kings of Assyria found by
Andrae at Kalat Sherkat (Assur) was one bearing the inscription of
Sammuramat, the Semiramis of legend, the wife of Shamshi-Adad,
and queen for five years during the minority of her son Adad-Nirari III
(cf. § 734) (text in Andrae, Stelenreihen, pp. 10 f.).
731. Stele of Sammuramat, queen (lit., palace woman) of
Shamshi-Adad, king of the universe, king of Assyria, mother
of Adad-nirari, king of the universe, king of Assyria, daugh-
ter-in-law of Shalmaneser, king of the four regions (of the
world).
C. Adad-nirari III
I. SABA’A STELE
732. Our primary source for the history of the reign of Adad-
nirari III (805-782 B.c.) is the inscription on a stele erected by one of
his officers, Nergalerish, and discovered, 1905, in the desert south of
the Sinjar Hills. The stele is now in the Constantinople Museum. It
was published in Reliefstele Adadniraris III, aiis Saba’ a und Semiramis,
by Eckhard Unger. Of particular interest to the historian was the
reference to the king’s accession to the throne in his fifth year. This
m eans , of course, that his mother, the famous Semiramis, was actually
ruler of Assyria for five years.
733. (To) Adad, foremost in heaven and on earth, son
of Anu, the powerful warrior, the perfect, the mighty in
strength, first among the Igigi, valiant (leader) of the Anun-
naki, who is clothed in splendor, who rides the mighty
s, decked with terrible brilliance, who brings low the
wicked with his shining whip, who hurls the thunderbolt, the
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ADAD-NIRlRI III , 261
great lord, his lord; [Adad-nirari 1 , the great king, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, the king without a
rival, the wonderful shepherd, the exalted viceroy (of the
gods), whose thoughts are of prayer and sacrifice (lit., raising
of his hand and the giving of his offering), whose rule the
great gods made beneficial as the food (lit., plant) of life for
the people of Assyria, and whose land they enlarged; son of
Shamshi-Adad, the mighty king, [king of the universe, king]
of Assyria, grandson of Shalmaneser, ruler of all princes, de-
stroyer of hostile kings.
734. In (my) fifth year of reign, when I took my seat on
the royal throne, in might, I mobilized (the forces of my)
land, (to) the widespreading armies of Assyria I gave the
order to advance against Palashtu (Palestine). The Euphra-
tes I crossed at its flood. The r widespreading, hostile] kings,
who in the time of Shamshi-Adad, my father, had rebelled,
and r withheld their tribute 1 , — at the command of Assur, Sin,
Shamash, Adad, Ishtar, the gods, my allies, [terror] over-
whelmed them and they laid hold of my feet. Tribute and
r tax, more than that of former days], they brought to Assyria.
I f received it 1 .
735. [To march against Aram] I gave the command.
Mari’ [I shut up] in Damascus, [his royal city]. 100 talents of
gold, 1,000 talents of silver talents I
received.
736. At that time I had an image of my royal self made.
The power of my might, the deeds of my hands, I inscribed
thereon. In Zabanni(?) I set it up. . . .
The inscription^) of Nergal-eresh, governor of Nimittu-
Ishtar, Abku, Mare(?), Rasapu, Katni, Dur-karpati(P), op-
posite Kar-Assur-nasir-pal, ^irku, 1 the lands of Lake and
Hindanu, the city of Anat, the land of Suhi, and the city of
-isbat.
737. The future prince who shall remove this image
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262 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
(stele) from its place, whoever shall cover it with dust or
shall bring it into a house of “disease of the face(?),” who
shall blot out the name of the king, my lord, or my written
name, and write his own name (in their stead), may Assur,
the father of the gods, curse him, may he destroy his seed,
his name, in the land. May Marduk overthrow his kingdom,
apportioning him (counting out for him) hands and eyes that
are “bound.” May Shamash, judge of heaven and earth,
bring darkness into his land, together. May Adad,
foremost in heaven and on earth, destroy his name, may he
come on like a locust swarm and bring low his land.
II. THE NIMRtD SLAB INSCRIPTIONS
738. x. On the upper portion of a slab found at Nimrhd (Calah)
is engraved the better-known inscription of this king. The text was
published in IR, Plate 35, No. 1. According to the Index to the Kou-
yunjik Catalogue, this slab is “not in Europe.”
739. Palace of Adad-nirari, the great king, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, the king whom
Assur, king of the Igigi, called in his youth and gave him a
kingdom without a rival; whose rule (lit., shepherding) he
(Assur) made beneficial (lit., good) as the food (plant) of
life for the people of Assyria, and whose throne he firmly es-
tablished; holy priest, who provides magnificently for Eshar-
ra, who is unwearied, who upholds the cult (lit., law, com-
mand) of Ekur (or, the temple) ; who went (forth) under the
protection of Assur, his lord, and brought the princes of the
four regions (of the world) in submission to his feet; who con-
quered from Mount Siluna of the east (rising sun), the lands
of Saban(?), Ellipi, Harhar, Araziash, Mesu, Madai, Gizil-
bunda in its totality, Mxmna, Parsua, Allabria, Abdadana,
Na’iri to its farthest border, Andiu, which lies afar off, the
mountain slope(?) to its farthest border, up to the great sea
of the rising sun ; from above the Euphrates, — Hatti, Amurru,
in its totality, Tyre, Sidon, Humri (Omriland, Israel), Edom,
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ADAD-NIRARI III 263
Palastu, up to the great sea of the setting sun, — I brought
(these lands) in submission to my feet. Tribute and tax I im-
posed upon them.
740. Against Aram (Syria) I marched, Mari’, king of
Aram, — in Damascus, his royal city, I shut him up. The
terrifying splendor of Assur, his ( prob . error for , my) lord,
overwhelmed him and he laid hold of my feet, he became my
vassal (lit., did my service). 2,300 talents of silver, 20 talents
of gold, 3,000 talents of copper, 5,000 talents of iron, colored
woolen and linen garments, an ivory bed, an ivory couch, in-
laid and bejeweled(?), his property and his goods, in im-
measurable quantity, in Damascus, his royal city, in his pal-
ace, I received.
741 . The kings of Kaldu, all of them, became my vassals;
tribute and tax for all time to come I imposed upon them.
Babylon, Borsippa, Kutha, brought the “remnant” of Bel,
Nabfi and Nergal, pure sacrifices
742. 2. On another slab, also from NimrM, we have the titles and
genealogy of Adad-nirari III. This monument is in the British Museum
(No. 6x1). The inscription was published in IR, Plate 35, No. 3.
743. Palace of Adad-nirari, the great king, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, the king whom
Assur, king of the Igigi, called in his youth and gave him (lit.,
filled his hand with) a kingdom without a rival: from the
great sea of the rising sun to the great sea of the setting sun,
his hand prevailed against (conquered), and he brought under
his sway, every land (lit., all of everything), son of Shamshi-
Adad, the great king, the mighty king, king of the universe,
king of Assyria, the king without a rival; (grand) son of
Shalmaneser, king of the four regions (of the world), who
slew all of his foes and brought (them) low like a flood;
(great-)grandson of Assur-nasir-pal, the valiant hero, who
increased (lit., made wide) (the human) habitations; offspring
of Adad-nirari, the exalted prince to whose aid Assur, Sha-
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264 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
mash, Adad and Marduk came and whose land they enlarged
(made wide); descendant of Tukulti-Urta, king of Assyria,
king of Sumer and Akkad; of the line of Shalmaneser, the
mighty king, who enlarged Eharsagkurkurra, “the mountain
of the lands”; of the lineage of Bel-kapkapi, the former king,
who lived before my day {lit., me), — even before the reign
(kingship) of Sulili, whose glory Assur proclaimed from of old.
III. THE INSCRIPTION ON THE NEBO STATUES
744. Two statues of the god NaM were set up at NimrM by Bel-
tarsi-iluma, governor of Calah, “for the life of Adad-nirari, king of
Assyria, his lord, and Sammuramat, the queen (palace woman), his
lady” and for his own life. These are Nos. 69 and 70 of the NimrM
Central Saloon in the British Museum (text published in IR, Plate 35,
No. 2).
745. To Nabft, the powerful, the exalted child of Esagila,
surpassing in wisdom, the powerful prince, son of Nudimmut,
whose word takes precedence, master of the arts, guardian
of all heaven and earth, all knowing, whose mind is open {lit.,
of wide ear), who holds the writing-reed, who possesses a
clasping hand(?), the merciful, the approachable(P), from
whom come {lit., are) the beautification (enlightenment)
(and) founding (of human habitations) ; the beloved of Enlil,
lord of lords, whose might has no equal, without whom no
counsel is given in heaven ; the merciful, the compassionate,
whose forgiveness is kindly, who dwells in Ezida which is in
Calah; the great lord, his lord, for the life of Adad-nirari, king
of Assyria, his lord, and for the life of Sammuramat (Semira-
mis) the royal lady {lit., palace woman), his lady (I), Bel-
tarsi-iluma, governor of Calah, Hamedi, Sirgana, Temeni,
Ialuna, for his own life {lit., life of his soul), length of days,
many years, the peace of his house and his people, for deliv-
erance from sickness, have made and presented (this statue).
0 man, who shall come after (me), on Nabu wait. Do not
trust in another god.
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ASSUR-NIRARI V 265
IV. MISCELLANEOUS TEXTS
746. r. An inscribed brick from Nebi Yunus (Nineveh) had this
text (published in IR, Plate 35, No. 4):
Adad-nirari, prefect of Enlil, king of Assyria, son of Sham-
shi-Adad, prefect of Enlil, king of Assyria, (grand)son of
Shalmaneser, prefect of Enlil.
747. 2. At Kalat Sherkat (Assur) were found the upper left corner
of a tablet (text, KAH, II, No. 116) and some votive pearls (text,
ibid., I, Nos. 35 and 36).
a) Adad-nirari son of Shamshi-Adad
(grand) son of Shalmaneser
10 talents, 15 minas impost(?)
(Rev.) Month
Eponymy . . of
748. b ) To Belit, chief of the gods, his lady, Adad-nirari,
king of Assyria, son of Shamshi-Adad, king of Assyria, for his
life has presented (this pearl).
D. Assttr-nirari V
TREATY WITH MATI’-ILU
749. In the second year of Assur-nirari’s reign (753-746 b.c.) there
was a campaign against Arpad. A much-discussed Assyrian document
was the result, namely, the treaty with Mati’-ilu, the native king. The
text, in transliteration and translation, was given by Peiser ( MDVG ,
1898, pt. 6). The tablet is Rm. 274 and 120, of the British Museum
collections.
750 TVfati’-ilu 1 r his sons 1 , his daugh-
ters, r his nobles, the people of his land], all that fsin 1 (i.e.,
rebel) his land, all the the
ground, all the brick (s) in for the standing of
his sons, [his] daughters, [his nobles and] r the people 1 of his
land. Let perish Mati’-ilu, [his sons], his daughters 1 , his
nobles, the people of his land, like cattle are they,
together with the people of his land; their stripped-ofi skins
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266 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
751. This ram is not being brought up from its flock(?)
for sacrifice, not for a karitu is he being brought up, not for a
kinitu is he being brought up 1 , not for a sick man is he being
brought up, not to be slaughtered for (but) for the
treaty (lit., oath) which Assur-nirari, king of [Assyria] made
'with 1 Mati’-ilu, is he 'being brought up].
752. If Mati’-ilu [sins] against this treaty (lit., oath of
these words), (then) as this ram is being brought up from its
flock, (a ram) which shall not return to its flock, shall not
(again) go at the head of its flock, so, on (his) part, shall
Mati’-ilu, together with his sons, r his daughters 1 , [his nobles],
the people of his land, be brought up from his land, to his land
he shall not return, before his land [he shall not go].
753. This head is not the head of the ram, the head of
Mati’-ilu [is it], the head of his sons, of his nobles, of the peo-
ple of his land. If Mati’-ilu [sins] against this treaty, as 'my
hand splits] the head of this ram [whose] tooth is “laid” in his
mouth, (so) may my hand split the head of Mati’-ilu, [the
tooth in his mouth, in . . [ may it lie(?).
754. This limb is not a limb of the ram, it is the limb of
Mati’-ilu, the limb of fhis sons 1 , [of his nobles], of the people
of his land, is it. If Mati’-ilu sins against these [oaths], as the
limb [of this ram] is torn off, [so may the limb of Mati’-ilu,
the limb of his] sons, [his nobles, of the people of his land] be
torn off
(The middle column is totally gone and of the right column
only a few signs are left.) 1
755. (Rev. right) (When) at the command of Assur-nirari,
king of Assyria, against his enemy they (the king’s armies)
march forth, Mati’-ilu, together with his nobles, his forces,
1 Since Peiser’s publication of the transliterated text, K 15272 has been joined
to the tablet, restoring parts of nine lines (11-19) to the right column. LI. 15 f.
read: “If against his city If (Mati’-ilu) is not faithful to Assur-nirari, if
his heart is not ‘set on’ Assur-nirari, king of Assyria thy sons, the
people of thy land ”
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ASSUR-NIRARI V 267
[shall march forth. If,] with his whole heart, he does not go
forth, does not march, may Sin, the great god, who dwells in
Harran, upon Mati’-ilu, [his sons], his nobles (and) the people
of his land, [cast] disease, like a garment, may they lie
stretched out on the ground (plain), may he have no mercy
upon them. May there be no [increase] of cattle, asses, sheep
(or) horses in his land. May Adad, first in heaven and on
earth, through want, famine and hunger, of Mati’-ilu, his
land, the people of his land, make an end, and may they eat
the flesh of their sons and their daughters, as the flesh of
rams and ewes may it seem good to them. May they be de-
prived of the vegetation ( ?lit ., green) of Adad, may rain be
appointed for their distress. May dust be their food, the
outside of the wall their protection(?), the urine of asses
their drink, rags (? niaru) their dress. In may their
bed be spread.
756. If Mati’-ilu, his sons (or) his nobles, — whichever
one violates (sins against) the oath of Assur-nirari, king of
Assyria, may his plowman not raise the cry of jubilation in
the field. The plant of the field, — verily, may it not spring
up, in [wells] may he not dig.
The water of the springs, — may it not gush forth
757. (Rev. middle ) If (for) the remembrance of anyone,
but not (for thy remembrance, if (for) the life of anyone, but
not (for) thy life, (if) sacrifices are prepared for the
life of thyself, thy sons (or) thy nobles, but not for the life of
Assur-nirari, his sons and his nobles, may Assur, father of
the gods, who bestows rulership (lit., kingship), turn thy land
into desert (steppe), thy people to , thy cities to
mounds, thy houses to ruins.
758. If Mati’-ilu violates these oaths of Assur-nirari,
king of Assyria, may Mati’-ilu be a harlot, the ( i.e ., his) men
be women. Like the harlot in the square(s) of his city may
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268 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
they receive r their support] ; one land shall drive them to the
other. As for r Mati’-ilu’s] wife, — may she, [like] the mule, [be
useless] for bearing children. [May Ishtar(?) ] . . .
of the men, lady of the women, seize their “bow” (i.e., make
them weak); their may she(?) establish, may
[their wailing] be bitter (as they cry): “Woe upon us(?),
against the oath of Assur-nirari, king of [Assyria], have we
sinned.”
759. If Mati’-ilu Assur-nirari, king of
Assyria want the land, . . .
.... let him destroy(?) a thousand houses
for one, let him restore, a thousand barkunu garments for
one barkinur garment let him restore. In his city may (but)
one man be left for the worship (of God).
760. Assur, king of heaven and earth, thou hast brought,
thou hast counted; 1 Anum (and) An turn, do.; Enlil (and) Nin-
lil, do.; Ea (and) Damkina, do.; Sin (and) Ningal, do.; Sha-
mash (and) Aia, do.; Adad (and) Shala, do.; Marduk (and) Sar-
panitum, do.; Nabft (and) Tashmetum, do.; XJxta.(MASH)
(and) Gula(ME), do.; Urash(/jB) (and) Belit-ekallim, do.;
Zamama (and) Bau, do.; Nergal (and) Laz (do.) ; Daianu(D/-
KUD) (and) Ningirsu, do.; Humbabaia ( HUM-HUM-MU )
(and) Ishum, do.; Girra(? GISH -BAR ) (and) Nusku, do.;
Ishtar, lady of Nineveh, do.; Ishtar, lady of Arbela, do.; Adad
of the city of Kurban, do.; Adad of the city of Kallab, do.;
IGI-DU, who goes before, do.; IGI-BI, of might, do.; Dagan
of the land of Suruna, do.; (and) 'Shukamuna 1 , do.;
Ishtar of the snare (?), do.; Adad, and Ra-
manu, do.; of the city of Dagan of
These are the names of the deities called as witnesses to the treaty.
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CHAPTER XIV
TIGLATH-PILESER III AND SHALMANESER V
A. Inscriptions of Tiglath-Pileser III
I. THE ANNALS
761. The annals of Tiglath-pileser (745-727 b.c.) were engraved
upon the slabs of the rebuilt central palace at Calah (Nimrud). These
slabs were later removed by Esarhaddon to be used in his southwest
palace of the same city. As a result of the removal and retrimming of
the stone, the annals have come down to us in a fragmentary state.
Without the aid of the Eponym List with Notes it would have been
impossible to arrange the fragments in their chronological order, and,
even so, future discoveries are likely to show that the arrangement now
generally accepted is wrong. For a detailed study Anspacher, Tiglath-
Pileser III, should be consulted. The text here followed is that of Rost,
Die Keilschrifttexte Tiglat-Pilesers III.
762 the river on rafts I crossed,
all of the Arameans x+9,000 peo-
ple, x, 000+ 500 cattle I destroyed, I devastated, I
burned with fire. The r Ra’sani-tribe of Chaldea], — the fury
of Assur, my lord, overwhelmed them and they came [be-
fore me] and kissed my feet The Erib-biti-
officials of the temples of Esagila, Ezida (and) [Emeslam
brought] to me the “remnant” 1 of Bel, Nabfi (and) Nergal,
I richly adorned them and they returned to
their own land. Those cities I rebuilt.
763. Above Til-Kamri, which they also r call Humut], I
built a city. From its foundation to its top I built, I com-
pleted it. A palace for my royal abode [I erected therein].
Kar-Assur I called its name. The weapon of Assur, my lord,
I set up therein. People of the lands my hands had conquered
* The exact meaning of this word in this context is uncertain. In the business
documents it means “balance,” — of an account Cf. Vol. II, § 35.
269
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270 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
I settled in it. I laid tribute and tax(es)] upon them; with
the people of Assyria I counted them.
The Patti-' hegalli] canal, which from days of old had lain
(in ruins) and I cleared out (lit. , dug) and
made the waters of abundance flow through its midst.
764. The cities of Dur-Kurigalzu, Sippar of Shamash,
fRissik, 1 the (tribes of) Nakri and
Tan6, the city of Kalain, the river Shumandashi, the city of
'Pasitu 1 of the Dunani, the land of Rirbutu
the [Adile 1 (tribe), the land of Bhdu, the city of Pahhaz, the
land of Kin-Nippur, — cities of Karduniash, as far as the
Uknfi-River, [on the shore of the lower sea 1 , 1 brought under
my sway. Within the Assyrian border I brought them. My
official I r set over them as governor]. From their lambs (and)
kids r I took 1 . 240 lambs I dedicated as a
gift to Assur, my lord. [The people of those towns 1 , whom I
carried off, [in the province of the Turtan 1 , the
province of the major-domo (lord high chamberlain), the
province of the Rab-bi-[lub (chief butler), the province] of the
land of Barhazia(P), the province of the land of Mazamua,
I settled them, I brought them into agree-
ment (with one another) and counted them with the people of
Assyria. The yoke of Assur, my lord, like that of the Assyri-
an (s), [I laid upon them]. The ruined towns within the area of
my land, which had fallen into decay [in the time of the kings,
my fathers 1 , 1 built anew, and Assyria
765 I built a city. A palace for my royal abode
[I erected therein. D ur-T ukulti-apal-Esharra] I called its
name. The weapon of Assur, my lord, [I set up therein. Peo-
ple of the lands my hands had conquered I settled in it]. I
counted them with the Assyrian people. An image [of my
majesty I set up therein, as symbol of the power and might]
which I had established over the nations in the name of As-
sur, my lord 10 talents of gold, heavy (standard),
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 271
1,000 talents of silver, I received as
its tribute.
Year 2
766. In my second year of reign, Assur, my lord, was my
help and against the lands of Namri], Bit-Zatti, Bit-Abda-
dani, Bit-Sangi, [Bit-Kapsi, Bit-Tazzakki, I marched]
. . . the progress of] my campaign he saw and
Nikur, his stronghold he forsook [as Adad
sends his rain] (so) I showered [my fury upon them]. The peo-
ple of Nikur, the weapons his horses and mules,
his cattle [(and) his sheep I carried off] The
cities of Sassiashu, Tutashdi,
the cities of Kushianash, Harshu, Shanashtiku,
Kishkitara, Harshai, Aiubak, .... [To] . . . , a mountain of
the Halihadri (range), the high(est) summit of the mountain
they betook (themselves). I followed after them and defeated
them who had entered the gorges
of the mountain, I burned with fire. The city of Ushari of
Bit-Zatti I besieged, I captured. Kaki, [their king I cap-
tured]. The city of Ritpattia of Bit-Abdadani' which Tunaku
had seized, I besieged, I captured, I despoiled
Nikur, together with the cities of its environs, I rebuilt. Peo-
ple of the lands my hands had conquered I settled therein.
[My official I set over them as governor. 1 The lands of Bit-
Kapsi, Bit-Sangi, Bit-Tazzakki, I overwhelmed as (with) a
net. Large numbers of them I slew r I
hung on stakes]. Of the rest of their fighters I cut off the
fingers and let them go back into their land. [Their horses,
their mules], their (Bactrian) camels, their cattle and their
sheep (and) workmen without number, I carried away.
Mitaki, [king of ] entered the city of Urshanika.
Urshanika and Kianpal, I captured. Him, his wife, his sons,
his daughters, [his gods, I carried off]. Those [cities], to-
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272 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
gether with the cities of their environs, I destroyed, I dev-
astated, I burned with fire.
767. Battanu, son of Kapsi, submitted and
carried the head-pad, — that his province might not be devas-
tated. The city of Karkarihundir I left to him. [Tribute and
tax I imposed upon him 1 . The city of Erinziashu which had
revolted against Bisihadir of Kishisu, I captured, its booty I
carried off.
768. Ramateia of Arazi That one
escaped like a mouse through a hole, and no one ever saw him
{lit., his place) again. Horses, cattle, sheep, lapis lazuli, the
best of the mountain (s) [To the great
gods 1 , my lords, I sacrificed. Tuni of Sumurzu
I captured. Eds warriors I hung on stakes . . .
Sumurzu, Bit-Hamban, I brought within the
Assyrian border. [People of the lands my hands had con-
quered therein] I settled. My official I set over them as gov-
ernor to Assur, my lord, I dedicated.
The city of Kizauti, which is in I destroyed, I
devastated, I burned with fire. Of the city chieftains who
were not submissive 300 talents of lapis
lazuli, 500 talents of copper nenzu as trib-
ute of Mannu-kima-sabe, son of Abdadani
Miki of Halpi, Uzakku of the lands of Ariarma,
Tar-lugale, fSaksukni, 1 which [they call
a fortress] of the Babylonian(s),
Year 3
769. [In my third] year of reign, [Sardurri of Urartu, re-
volted against me, with] Mati’-ilu
[Sulumal of Melid 1 (Melitene), Tarhulara of 'Gurgum 1 ,
[Kushtashpi of Kummuhu 1 , [trusted] in each others might.
(Trusting) in the might and power of Assur,
my lord, I fought with them, large numbers of
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 273
them I slew. The gorges and precipices of the mountains I
filled with [their bodies]. Their chariots . their
without number, I carried away from that slaugh-
ter and of Sardurri I seized with my own
hands. 72,950 people, together with their possessions, from
[Sardurri 1 , to save his life, escaped at night
and was seen no more up to the
bridge across the Euphrates, the boundary of his land, I pur-
sued him. And his bed his royal coach,
the seal-cylinder, (hung) about his neck, together with [his]
rings ........ his royal chariot, their(?)
his . much, without number, his(?) chari-
ots, horses, mules, his workmen, without num-
ber, I carried away. The “house of the plain,” [his royal]
tent, large quantities of his I
burned in the midst of his camp his
his bed, to Ishtar, queen of
the city of Kukusanshu,
the city of Harbisina -piati
. . . -dinu the city of Izzeda, which Ma
... 'I laid upon them 1 . Rasunni [of Aram] 3
talents of gold, x talents of silver 20 talents of
ladunu-( herbs) 1 Kushtashpi of Kummuhu,
[Hiram] of Tyre, Uriaik [of Kue], Pisiris of Carchemish, Tar-
hulara of [Gurgum], iron, elephant hide, ivory,
purple (wool), [products] of their lands, in large
(quantity) in Arpad I received. Tutammfi
of Unki forgot the oath sworn to me. His life
marched at my side. In anger(?) of Tu-
tammu, together with his nobles The
city of Kinalia, his royal city, I captured. The people with
their possessions horses and mules among my arti-
sans I apportioned like sheep in the midst of
* Ladanum.
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ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
the palace of Tutamfl, I set up my throne
x talents of gold, heavy standard, 300 talents of silver, heavy
standard, 100 talents of copper nenzu, colored
(woolen) garments, and linen ones, all kinds of herbs, the
goods of his palace Ednalia, I rebuilt.
Unki to its farthest border I subjugated my offi-
cial I set over them as governor
770. [In] the course of my campaign, I received the trib-
ute of the kings of the seacoast (Mediterranean)]
Azariah 1 of Judah, like Azariah, the land of
Judah without number, reaching high to
heaven and exceedingly great [on earth] with
eyes, as from heaven by attack(s) of charging in-
fantry, by mines they heard of the onset of
Assur’s dense [masses of troops] and [their hearts] became
afraid I destroyed, I devastated, with fire I
burned which had gone over to r Azariah 1
and had strengthened him like stumps
exceedingly difficult was barred
and was high were situated (placed)
his egress I had them bring [with
earthworks] I surrounded his garrisoned towns (and) against
I caused them to carry and
his great like r pots I smashed.]
rider (messenger) Azariah my royal palace
in tribute like that of the [Assyrians I
laid upon them] and(?) the city of 'Kullani 1 . . .
at his invitation the cities of Usnfi,
Siannu, Simirra (and) — buna 1 , which are on the r seacoast, n
together with the cities (extending) up to Mount Saue, a
mountain which abuts on Mount Lebanon, Mount Ba’li-
* Restored to Rashpuna by Rost. The fragment, K 3649, has Rashpuna,
“on the shore of the lower sea.” But see § 815-
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 275
sapuna, as far as Mount Amanus, the boxwood mountain,
Mount Sau, in its entirety, the provinces of Kar-Adad, the
city of Hatarikka, the province of Nukudina, Mount Hasu as
well as the cities which (lie) about it, the city of Axa, the
cities on both sides of them, together with the cities of their
environs, Mount Sarbua in its totality, the cities of Ash-
hani (and), Iadabi, Mount Iaraku, in its entirety, the cities
of ri, Ellitarbi, Zitanu, up to the city Atinni,
the city of Bumame, — 19 districts of Hamath, to-
gether with the cities of their environs, which (lie) on the
shore of the sea of the setting sun, which had gone over to
Azariah, in revolt (lit., sin) and contempt of Assyria, I
brought within the border of Assyria. My officials I set over
them as governors. 30,300 people [I carried off from] their
cities and placed them in the province of the city of Ku — .
1,223 people I settled in the province of the land of Ulluba.
771. TheKuru — (tribe) I took (my) way. My
warriors, the ford of the Zab, for the conquest of the Ahlame,
I The Gurume Kishi (of the)
Arameans of the banks of the Zab(?), they slew in great num-
bers. They captured their cities and carried off their spoil.
The Kishi (of the) Arameans came on in great num-
bers and drew up the battle line in front of them. They (my
troops) smote the Aramean contingents(?) to
save his life he fled alone and went up (into the mountains).
The stronghold of Kinia, the city of Sarragitu, ..... to-
gether with the cities of their environs, they captured. 12,000
people, with their possessions, their cattle (and) their sheep,
together with they brought to Hatti (Syria)
into my presence. My official, the governor of the land of the
Lulume, — the cities of Mulugani of Babylon,
together with the cities of their environs, he captured (and)
smote them, [x people, together with their possessions], they
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276 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
brought to me in Hatti (Syria). My official, the governor of
Na’iri, — the cities of Supurgillu, together
with the cities of their environs, he captured, their booty he
carried off. Shikila, the fortress commandant,
r they carried off 1 and brought before me in Hatti (Syria).
772. 600 captives of the city of Amlate of the Damunu
(tribe), 5,400 captives of the city of Dir, I settled in the cities
of Kunalia, Huzarra, Tae, Tarmanazi, Kulmadara, Hatatirra
(and) Sagillu of the land of Unki,
x captives of the Kute and of Bit-Sangibuti, 1,200 Illileans,
6,208 Nakkabeans, Budeans, in the cities of Simir-
ra, ArkS., Usnu, Siannu, which lie on the seacoast, I settled.
588 Budeans, Duneans, Ni — 352 Bileans, 554 Bana-
teans, 380 people of the city of Nergal-ilu-ina-mati, 460 San-
gilleans, x Illileans, 457 captives of the Kuteans
(and) Bit-Sangibuteans, in the province of Tu’imme I
settled. 555 captives of the Kuteans and Bit-
Sangibuteans, in Til-karme I settled. With the people of
Assyria I counted them. Dues and service, as of the As-
syrians, I laid upon them. The tribute of Kushtashpi of
Kummuhu, Rasunnu (Rezin) of Aram, Menihimmu (Me-
nahem) of Samerina (Samaria), Hirummu (Hiram) of Tyre,
Sibitti-bi’li of Gubla (Gebail), Urikki of Kue, Pisiris of
Carchemish, Eni-ilu of Hamath, Panammu of Sam’al, Tar-
hulara of Gurgum, Sulumal of Melid, Dadi-ilu of Kaska,
Uassurme of Tabal, Ushhitti of Tuna, Urballai of Tuhana,
Tuhamme of Ishtunda, Urimme of Hubishna, Zabibe, queen
of Arabia, — gold, silver, lead, iron, elephant’s hides, ivory,
colored (woolen) garments, linen garments, blue and purple
wool, maple, boxwood, all kinds of precious royal treasure,
fat(?) lambs, whose wool was purple in color (lit., dyed),
winged birds of heaven, whose wings were blue in color (lit.,
dyed), horses, mules, cattle, sheep, camels, female camels,
together with their young, I received.
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 277
Year g
773. In my ninth year of reign, Assur, my lord, aiding
me, against the lands of Blt-Kapsi, Bit-Sangibuti, Bit-Taz-
zakki, Madai, Bit-Zualzash, Bit-Matti, (and) Tupliash, I
marched. The cities of Bit-Ishtar, Kingi-kangi, Kindigiasu,
Kingi-alkasish, Kubush-Hatidish, Upushu (land), Ahsipuna,
Girgira, Kihbazhati, together with the cities of their en-
virons, I captured, their booty I carried off. I destroyed, I
devastated, I burned (them) with fire.
774. At that time I made a pointed lance of iron, and
inscribed (lit., wrote) thereon (the record) of the might of
Assur, my lord. In the province of Bahianu (?) of Bit-Ishtar I
set it up. Upash, son of Kapsi, gathered his people together
and went up into Mount Abirus. After him I went and smote
him. His booty I carried off. His cities I destroyed, I devas-
tated, I burned with fire. Ushuru of the city of Tadirruta,
Bur-Dada of the city of Nirutakta, became frightened and
took to the mountains. I went up after them, smote them,
carried off their spoil. Bur-Dada I captured with my (own)
hands. Their cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with
fire. Sibur, together with the cities of its environs, I captured.
Its booty I carried off. Tanus — 1 their
booty . he gathered together and [took to] the
mountains The land Pu — Mount
Danu — I went up after them, I smote them and
carried off their spoil. Iautarshi 1 of the rest
of them, who had fled to the land of Amate, a district at the
head of the Rfia Mountains, which r after them 1 1
marched and I smote them. I carried them off en masse (lit.,
as one). The Kar-Zibreans, they abandoned. I pur-
sued them and in the midst of (their) march I fell upon them
like rain from heaven (lit., Adad, the Storm-god), and
carried countless numbers of them off. Not one among them
1 Personal name.
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278 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
escaped or got up into the mountain. The people of Bit-
'Sangibuti 1 had taken refuge [in Silhazi] .... of
the Babylonians. I went up after them, I smote them and
carried off their spoil with fire I burned. Over
against Silhazi, which they call a stronghold of the Baby-
lonian^), [I set up my royal image 1
775. [In the temple(?)] of the land of Til-Ashuri, I offered
an arrow and pure sacrifices to Marduk who dwells in Til-
Ashuri. The city of Nikku [of Tupliash] the
cities of Hista, Harabisina, Barbaz, Tasa, as far as the river
Ulurush, I captured, I smote. 8,650 people
horses, 300 mules, 660 asses, 1,350 cattle, 19,000 sheep, I
carried off. I destroyed, I devastated, I burned (those cities)
with fire. their I
brought within the Assyrian border. Those cities I rebuilt;
people from the lands my hands had conquered I settled
therein. [The weapon of Assur, my lordl, I set up in them, and
added them to the province of Na’iri. The cities of Daikan-
sha, Sakka, Ippa, Elizanshu, Lukadansha, Kuda, Elugia,
Dania, Danziun, Ulai, Lukia, Abrania (and) Eusa, [I cap-
tured], I smote. 900 people, 150 cattle, 1,000 sheep, horses,
mules, asses, I carried off. r Their cities 1 1 destroyed, I devas-
tated, I burned with fire.
776. The people of the land of Mukania saw the approach
of my army and the city of Ura which is in Musumi,
.... their sons, their daughters, r their families 1
[their fingers?] I cut off and r sent them (back) 1 to their land
horses, mules, I destroyed, I
devastated, I burned with fire I captured, I
destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire I
captured, I smote I captured his warriors
I cut (them) down with the sword
before him the charioteers, and then-
weapons I shattered their chariots, their horses I
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 279
seized his fighters, who carried bows,
. . . who carried shield and spears, I captured with my (own)
hands and [their battle line I shattered].
That one fled alone to save his life and like a
mouse(?) he entered the gate of his city. His nobles I cap-
tured alive with my (own) hands and hung them on stakes
and let his land gaze on them. 45(F) soldiers of my camp
..... for the of his city I selected and like a bird
in a cage I shut him up. His gardens plantations,
which were without number, I cut down, not one escaped.
777. Hadaru, the father’s house of Resin of Aram (Syria),
[where] he was bom, I besieged, I captured. 800 people, to-
gether with their possessions their cattle, their
sheep, I carried off. 750 captives of the city of Kurussa,
captives of the city of Irma, 550 captives of the
city of Metuna, I carried off. 591 cities of 16 dis-
tricts of Aram (Syria), I destroyed like mounds left by a
flood.
778 Samsi, queen of Arabia, who had violated
the oath by Shamash, to the city of
Ezasi Arabia, in 'Saba’ 1 [her people]
in her camp she was afraid
I imposed upon her submitted at my feet
'Sabeans 1 , 'Haiappeans 1 'Hatteans 1 , [Idiba’ile-
ans] of the border of the lands of the setting
sun r the glory 1 of my majesty gold, silver,
fcamels 1 all kinds of kerbs’, as their tribute [they
brought before me, as one] r they kissed my feet
a palace, befitting my royalty, I built
Idibi’lu I appointed as overseer over
779. On my former campaign all of the cities I
counted his .... I had carried off and Samerina
(Samaria), r he(?) left 1 alone, their king
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28 o ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
like a hurricane province of Bit
captives of — bara, 625 captives of cap-
tives of Hinatuna, 650 captives of Kana, cap-
tives of ... . — atbite, 650 captives of Ir — people
together with their possessions [I carried off] The
cities of Aruma, Marum [Mitinti] of Ashke-
lon, violated the oath sworn to me 1 , [against me he revolted.
The defeat of] Resin 1 he saw and [died] in a conflagration(?).
[Rukibtu, son of Mitinti], I set upon his throne for
he barred and besought me, 500 into his city I
entered. 15 cities Idibi’li (of) Arabia,
n. NIMRtTD SLAB INSCRIPTION
780. Probably the earliest extant of Tiglath-pileser’s inscriptions
is that on the slab from Nimrud, now in the British Museum (base-
ment, No. 616; 51-9-2,36), which is to be dated in, or soon after, 734
b.c. (text, Layard, Inscriptions, Plates 17 and 18; Rost, Plates XXXII,
XXXIII).
781 . Palace of Tiglath-pileser, the great king, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, king of Sumer and
Akkad, king of the four regions (of the world) ; who is atten-
tive to the beck (lit., lifting of the eyes) of Enlil, the king who
from the rising of the sun to the setting thereof has scattered
(lit., counted) all of his foes to the wind(s) and has maintained
(his) sway; who subdues the peoples of the upper and the
lower (land(s), who ousts their rulers and instals his (own)
officials.
782. Since the beginning of my rule I have brought under
my sway, beginning with Dur-Kurigalzu, Sippar of Shamash
(and) Pasitu of the Dunanu, (and going) as far as Nippur,
the Itu’ and the Rubu’ (tribes), all of the Arameans (living)
on the banks of the Tigris and Surapi, as far as the Uknu, by
the shore of the lower sea. Above Til-Kamri, which they
(also) call Humut, I built a city and called its name Kar-
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 281
Assur. The people of the lands my hands had conquered I
settled therein, I set my official over it.
783. Bit-Shilani, in its entirety, I smashed like a pot.
Sarrabanu, their great royal city, I destroyed (so that it was)
like a ruin (left by) the flood. I carried ofl its plunder. Nabfi-
ushabshi, their king, I hung up in front of the gate of his city
on a stake. His land, his wife, his sons, his daughters, his
property, the treasure of his palace, I carried off. Bit-Amuk-
kani I trampled down like a threshing (sledge). All of its
people, (and) its goods, I took to Assyria. I defeated the
Pukudu, Ru’ua and Li’tau (tribes) and drove them from
their districts (lit., places), — the Arameans, all there were, I
brought in submission to my feet and seized their kingly
households (lit., people of their king). Karduniash I brought
under my sway. Upon the Ra’s&ni (tribe) of Chaldea I laid
tribute(?) and tax.
784. To Assur, Sheru’a, Bel, Sarpanit, Nabfi, Tashmetu,
Nand, lady of Babylon, Nergal (and) Laz, I offered pure
sacrifices in Harsagkalama. The lands of Bit-Hamban, Su-
murzu, Bit-Barrua, Bit-Zualzash, Bit-Matti, the city of
Niku of Tupliash, the lands of Til-Taranzai, Parsua, Bit-
Kibsi, as far as the city of Zakruti of the mighty Medes, I
brought under my sway. My two officials I set over them as
governors. The gifts (tribute) of the chieftains of the Medes,
— as far as Mount Bikni, I received.
785. Sardaurri, of Urartu, revolted against me and made
common cause with Mati’-ilu. In Kishtan and Halpi, dis-
tricts of Kummuhi (Commagene), I defeated him and took
from him the whole of his camp. He became frightened at the
fury of my arms and ran away, alone, to save his life. In
Turushpa, his city, I shut him up and slew many of his war-
riors before his (city’s) gates. My royal image I set up in
front of Turushpa. A distance of 8o(?) beru (double-hours),
I marched victoriously (lit., heroically) through the wide
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282 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
land of Urartu, from its upper to its lower (border), and found
{lit., had) none to oppose. The land of Ulluba, in its entirety,
the cities of Kashtirru, Parisu, Tashuha, Mantupa(?), Sar-
daurri, together with {or, as far as) the cities of Galananal,
Sikibsa, Asurdai, Babutta, Lusia (and) Bisia {or, Kassia),
strongholds of Urartu, which are back of Mount Nal, I
brought {lit., turned) within the Assyrian border. In Ullaba I
built a city and called its name Assur-ikisha. My official I set
over it as governor. The cities of Enu, Sassu, Lubdu, Lukia,
Shimirra, Ushurnu, Uzurra(?), Auigash, Ubula, as far as
Birdashu, the mountain, I added to the province of (my)
Rab-bi-lub-official. The cities of Kuta, Urra, Arana, Taba,
Uallia, up to the Euphrates River, (which is) the boundary
of Kummuhi, Kilissa, Ezieda, (Diuabli 1 , Abbissa, Harbisinna,
[Barbaz], Tasa, Enzi, Anganu, Benzu, strongholds of Urartu,
the fRallania 1 , his river, I captured (and) brought them with-
in the Assyrian border. To the province of the Turtan and
the province of Na’iri I added (them).
HI. LATER INSCRIPTIONS CONTAINING
HISTORICAL SECTIONS
786. On the upper half of a large clay tablet, from Nimrud (British
Museum, K 3751), are preserved the beginning (Obv.) and end (Rev.)
of a long building inscription, the historical section of which contained
a resume of the first seventeen years of Tiglath-pileser’s reign. The
text is published in HR, 67. Similar but more condensed resumes of the
same period are found in another broken tablet from Nimrud (British
Museum, DT.3), published in Rost, Plate XXXIV) and on a slab
found on the same site (text, from squeezes, in Rost, Plates XXIX-
XXXI). Two other texts from squeezes are published in IIIR, 10,
Nos. 2 and 3. The first is a portion of an annals inscription, the second,
a list of cities.
i. Nimrud Tablet {date 728 B.C .)
787. Palace of Tiglath-pileser, the great king, the mighty
king, king of the tmi verse, king of Assyria, king of Babylon,
king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four regions (of the
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TIGLATH-PILESER HI 283
world); the brave hero, who, with the help of Assur, his lord,
smashed all who did not obey him, like pots, and laid them
low, like a hurricane, scattering (them) to the wind(s) ; the
king, who, advancing in the name of Assur, Shamash and
Marduk, the great gods, brought under his sway the lands
from the Bitter Sea of Bit-Iakin to Mount Bikni, of the ris-
ing sun, and (to) the sea of the setting sun, as far as Egypt, —
from the horizon to the zenith, and exercised kingship over
them.
788. From the beginning of my rule, to the seventeenth
year of my reign, the (tribes of) Itu’, Rubu’, Hamarani,
Luhftatu, Harilu, Rubbft, Rapiku, Hiranu, Rabilu, Nasiru,
Gulusu, Nabatu, Rahiku, Ka — , . . , Rummulutu, Adile,
Kipr£, Ubudu, Gurumu, Bagdadu, Hindiru, Damunu, Du-
nanu, Nilku, Rade, Da . . . . , Ubulu, Karma’, Amlatu,
Ru’a, Kabi’, Li’tau, Marusu, Amatu, Hagaranu, (the cities
of) Dfir-Kurigalzu, Adidu(?), the strongholds of Sarragiti, of
Labbanat, of Kar-bel-matati, — all of the Arameans of the
banks of the Tigris, the Euphrates and the Surappi, even to
the Uknfi, by the shore of the lower sea (Persian Gulf), I
conquered, many of them I slew, I carried off their spoil. The
Arameans, as many as there were, I brought within the bor-
der of Assyria and set my official over them as governor.
Above Til-Kamri, which they also called Humut, I built a
city and called its name Kar-Assur. People of the lands my
hands had conquered, I settled therein. In Sippar, Nippur,
Babylon, Borsippa, Kutha, Kish, Dilbat, and Erech, un-
rivaled metropolises, I offered pure (holy) sacrifices to Bel,
Sarpanit, Nabfi, Tashmetu, Nergal, and Laz, the great gods,
my lords, and they accepted (lit., loved) my priesthood. The
wide land of Karduniash (Babylonia), to its farthest border,
I brought under my sway and exercised sovereignty over it.
789. The Pukudu I brought low as with a net. Many of
them I slew; great quantities of their spoil I carried off. This
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284 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
(tribe of) Pukudu and the city of Lahiru of Idibirina,
the cities of Hilimmu (and) Pillutu, which are on the bor-
der of Elam, I brought inside the Assyrian border and
placed {lit., counted) them under the authority (hand) of my
official, the viceroy of Arrapha. All (the people) there were
of the land of Labdudu I deported and settled in Assyria.
The whole of Chaldea I brought low as with a snare. Many
(of the men) of Nabfi-ushabshi, son of Shilani, I slew
by the side of Sarrabani, his city. And him I hung up on a
stake before the gate of his city for his land to gaze upon.
Sarrabani I took by means of earthworks [and siege engines 1 .
55.000 of its people, together with their possessions, his spoil,
his property and goods, his wife, his sons and his daughters,
and his gods, I carried off. That city, together with the towns
of its neighborhood, r I destroyed, I devastated, I burned 1
with fire. To mounds and ruins I turned it.
790. The cities of Tarbasu (and) Iaballu, I captured.
30.000 of (their) people, together with their possessions, their
property, their goods and their gods, r I carried off. Those
cities 1 , together with the towns of their neighborhood, I de-
stroyed (so that they were) like mounds (left by) the flood.
Zakiru, son of Sha’alli, r violated {lit., sinned against) the
oath sworn by the great gods 1 and [made common cause 1
with [my foes]. Him, together with his nobles, my hand
seized. Iron fetters I laid upon them and brought them to
Assyria. The people of the land of Bit-Sha’alli became fright-
ened and made Dfir-[Illatai], their .... their fortress. That
city I captured by means of tunnels (?) and siege engines, and
made it like (the level) earth. 40,500 of its people, together
with their possessions, their spoil, their property and goods,
his wife, his sons, his daughters (and) his gods, I carried off.
791. The city of Amlilatu I captured. The people, to-
gether with their possessions, his spoil, his property (and)
his goods, I carried off. Bit-Sha’alli I devastated like a flood,
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 285
to its farthest border, and laid waste its settlements. These
lands I brought inside the Assyrian border.
792. Kin-zer, son of Amukkani, I shut up in Sapie, his
royal city. Many (of his people) I slew in front of his (city)
gate. The mulberry(?) groves which were (planted) along his
(city) walls, I cut down; not one was left (lit., escaped). The
date-palms within the confines of his land I destroyed. His
I cut off(?) and filled the fields (with them, or, it).
All of his cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire.
Bit-Shilani, Bit- Amukkani and Bit-Sha’alli, I destroyed in
their entirety (so that they were) like mounds (left by) the
flood, — to mounds and ruins I turned them.
793. The tribute of Balasu, son of Dakkuri and Nadini of
Larak, — silver, gold, precious stones, I received.
794. Merodach-baladan, son of Iakina, king of the sea-
(land), who had not come before (i.e., submitted to) any of
the kings, my fathers, and had not kissed their feet, the terror
of the awful splendor of Assur, my lord, overwhelmed him
and he came to the city of Sapia, into my presence, and kissed
my feet. Gold, the dust of his mountain (s), in great quantity,
articles of gold, golden necklaces(?), precious stones, the
products of the sea, logs of 'maple 1 and ellutu- wood, LAL- and
LU-a-nu-jAaxits, colored garments, all kinds of herbs, cattle
and sheep, I received as his tribute.
795. The lands of Namri, Bit-Sangibuti, Bit-Hamban,
Sumurzu, Barrua, Bit-Zualzash, Bit-Matti, the city of Niku
of Tupliash (land), Bit-Taranzai, Parsua, Bit-Zatti, Bit-
Abdadani, Bit-Kabsi, Bit-Sangi, Bit-Tazzakki, Bit-Ishtar,
Zakruti, Gizinikissi, Nishsha, the cities of Sibur and Urim-
zan, the lands of Ra’usan, 'Niparia 1 , Bustus, Ariarmi, Tar-
lugale(?), Saksukni, Arakuttu, Kar-Zibra, Gukinnana, Bit-
Sakbat, Silhazi, which they call the fortress of the Baby-
lonian (s), the land of Ru(a), as far as the alkali desert, the
lands of Ushkakkana, Shikraki, (the land) of gold, provinces
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286 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
of the mighty Medes, I overpowered (lit., covered) as with a
net, to their farthest border. I slew large numbers (of their
inhabitants). 65,000 people, together with their possessions,
their horses, their mules, their (Bactrian) camels, their cattle
(and) their sheep, in countless numbers, I carried off. Their
cities I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire. Into
mounds and ruins I turned them. The lands of Namri, Bit-
Sangibuti, Bit-Hamban, Sumurzu, Bit-Barrua, Bit-Zualzash,
Bit-Matti, the city of Niku of Tupliash, Bit-Taranzai, Par-
sua, Bit-Zatti, Bit-Abdadani, Bit-Kapsi, Bit-Sangi, Bit-Taz-
zakki, Bit-Ishtar, [the city of Zakruti 1 , of the mighty Medes,
I brought inside the Assyrian border. The cities in these (dis-
tricts) I rebuilt. The weapon 1 of Assur, my lord, I established
therein. People of the lands my hands had conquered I set-
tled in them. My official I set over them as governor. My
royal image I set up in the land of Tikrakki, the cities of Bit-
Ishtar (and) Sibur, the lands of Ariarmi, Tar-lugale, [and
the city of Silhazi 1 , which they call the fortress of the
Babylonian (s). The tribute of the [land of the Medes 1 , the
Ellipi and the chieftains of all of their mountain (districts),
as far as Mount Bikni [in the east],— horses, mules, (Bac-
trian) camels, cattle and sheep, [I received]
heard 1 of the glorious valor of Assur, my lord, which r I had
displayed (lit., exercised) 1 in all of their mountain (districts).
The awe-inspiring splendor of Assur, my lord, overwhelmed
him, to Dfir-Tukulti-apal-esharra, he came, into
my presence, he kissed [my feet. Horses], mules, cattle and
sheep, weapons of war [I received as his tribute].
f My official 1 Assur-daninani I dispatched to the land of the
mighty Medes of the east
796. [The lands of Ulluba 1 and Kirhu I conquered in their
entirety. 1 brought (them) 1 inside the Assyrian border.
* Lx the sense of symbol; that is, the cult of Assur.
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TIGLATH-PILESER in 287
[A palace for my royal residence 1 I built therein.
The weapon of Assur, my lord, I set up in it.
797. [Sarduarri of Urartu 1 , Sulumal of Melid (Melitene)
Tarhulara [of Gurgum] Kushtashpi of
Kummuhu, to capture and plunder
between Kishtan and Halpi, districts of kummuhu 1 ,
them. The river Sinzi I dyed red like wool
their I took away from them.
In the midst his royal bed
798. (Rev.) her [she brought] be-
fore me. [An overseer I set over her. The Bir’ai I brought in
submission to my feet].
799. The 'Mas’ai 1 , Temai, Sab’ai, Haiapai, Badanai,
[on the border of the lands of the setting
sun 1 , whom no one knew, and whose home (lit., place) is afar
off, — they heard of the glory of my majesty
camels, female camels, all kinds of herbs, their tribute,
[they brought before 1 me, with one accord, [and kissed my
feet].
800. Idi-bi’ili I set up as overseer on the Egyptian fron-
tier (lit., toward Egypt). In all of the lands of
801. The tribute of Kushtashpi of Kummuhu, Urik of
Kffe, Sibitti-bi’il [of Gubla] [Eni]-ilu of Hamath,
Panammu of Sam’al, Tarhulara of Gurgum, r Sulumal of
Melid] Uassurme of Tabal, Ushhitti of
Tunai, Urballa of Tuhan, r Tuhamme of Ishtunda]
tMatan^bi’il of Arvad, Sanibu of Beth-Ammon, Sala-
manu of Moab, 'Mitinti 1 of Ashkelon. Iau-
hazi (Jehoahaz) of Judah, Kaush-malaku of Edom, 'Musri 1
Hanftnu (Hanno) of Gaza,— gold, silver, lead, iron,
tin, brightly colored (woolen) garments, linen, the purple gar-
ments of their land(s), all kinds of costly things, the
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288 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
products of the sea and the dry land, the commodities of their
land, the royal treasure, horses, mules, broken to the yoke,
[I received].
802. Uassurme of Tabal was indifferent toward Assyria’s
achievements and did not come into my presence. My
official the Rab-{shaM ] [I dispatched]. Hulli, son
of a nobody, I set upon his royal throne. 10 talents of gold,
x,ooo talents of silver, 2,000 horses [I received].
803. My official, the Rab-shakli, I sent to Tyre. From
Metenna of Tyre I received 150 talents of gold
804. With the keen understanding and grasp of intellect
with which the Master of the gods, the prince Nudimmut (Ea)
endowed me, a palace of cedar and a portico
(1 bU-hitlanni ) patterned after a Hittite (Syrian) palace, for
my enjoyment, I built in Calah (Kalhi) The area
(lit., survey) of the site (lit., ground), which was (to be)
greater than (that) of the earlier palaces of my fathers, I en-
larged^) from out of the Tigris. 1 All the
skilled artisans I shrewdly used to the best advantage ....
from 20 great cubits below the (level) of the
raging waters (of the Tigris) I heaped up mighty limestone
bowlders, — as the mountain is heaped up, and
[right and left 1 Their (the palaces’) terrace I con-
structed, laid their foundations, and raised on high their
towers (lit., heads). | GA R, f of a cubit, the house
r I constructed 1 . I made (it) face the north. Their (the pal-
aces’) doorways, of ivory, maple, boxwood, mulberry, cedar
jumper, — tribute of the Hittite (Syrian) kings, of
the princes of the Arameans and of Chaldea, which I brought
in submission to my feet through my valorous heroism, [I
made and I richly 1 adorned them. (To a height of) 5 J GAR, 4
cubits,— from the water level to the topmost (pinnacle), I
carried through their construction. I put more work upon
'By encroaching upon the river flats.
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 289
them (than was put) on (any) of the palaces of (other) lands.
With long (lit., tall) cedar beams, whose fragrance is as good
as that of the cypress tree, products of Amanus, Lebanon and
Ammanana (Anti-Lebanon), I roofed them over, and brought
(them) to faultless completion. To set forth the splendor
(thereof), of and stone, the work of the stone-
cutter, I fashioned and adorned the door (ways). The door-
leaves of cedar and cypress, which give unbounded joy to
the one entering them (and) whose odor penetrates (?) to the
heart, I bound with a sheathing of shining zahali 2 and
( sariru ) and hung (them) in the door (ways). Lion-colossi
and bull-colossi, whose members were most skilfully wrought
and which were clothed with exuberant splendor, I placed at
the entrances and set them up as (objects) of astonishment
(to the people). Slabs of gypsum, of alabaster, I placed under
them and (so) made the exits splendid. And I surrounded the
sides with stone carvings — as a protection— -of the great gods,
the creatures of the deep ( apsti ), and made them fear-inspir-
ing. Clothes-hooks of gold, silver and copper I put up all
around them (the palaces), to make them completely
equipped), and (so) I made their appearance beautiful (lit.,
brilliant). For my royal abode, a sun-chamber(P) of precious
stones, the work of I built therein. “Palaces of
Rejoicing,” “Bringing Prosperity,” “Blessing the Bang,”
“Causing Their Builder r to Grow Old 1 ” (i.e., have length of
days), — thus I named their names. “Gates of Justice,”
“Carrying Out the Justice of the Princes of the Four Re-
gions,” “ the Tribute of Lands and Seas,” “Bringing
in the Products of the Towns before the King, Their Lord,”
— so I called the names of their gates.
2. Second Nimrdd Tablet (DT, 3)
803. [From the beginning 1 of my rule to the seventeenth
year of my reign, the (tribes of) Itu’, Rubu’, Hamaranu,
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2 9 o ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
LuMatu, Harilu, Rubbu, [Rapiku 1 , Nabatu, Gurumu,
Dunanu, Ubulu, Ru’ua, Li’tau, Marusu, (the cities of) Dhr-
Kurigalzu, Adida, the strongholds of Sarragiti and of Labnat,
— the Arameans, all of them, who (live) on the banks of the
Tigris, Euphrates, fSurappi 1 and Uknu, as far as the lower sea
of the rising sun, I conquered, inside the border of Assyria I
brought (them). My [official] I set over them as governor.
In Sippar, Nippur, Babylon, Borsippa, Kutha, Kish, Dilbat,
Erech, unrivaled metropolises, I offered holy (pure) sacri-
fices to Bel, Sarpanit, Nabu, Tashmetu, Nergal (and) Laz,
the great gods, my lords, and presented (them) with gifts.
The wide land of Karduniash (Babylonia) I brought under
my sway and exercised sovereignty over it.
806. Sarrabani (and) Bit-Sa’alli I laid waste {lit., tore
up) to their farthest borders. Nabh-ushabshi (and) Zakiru,
their kings, my hands captured. . . . Tarbasu, Iaballa, Dfir-
Illatai, Malilatu, their great royal cities, I captured by
means of earthworks and siege engines. 154,000 people, to-
gether with their possessions, their and
their grazing herds(?), I carried off in countless numbers.
Those lands I brought within the Assyrian border
like pots I smashed, and all of its people I brought
to Assyria. Kin-zer, their king, I shut up in Sapia, his city
of Elam I brought within the As-
syrian border and put them under my official, the governor
of Arbaha (Arapha). [The tribute of . . . .] of Chaldea, of
Balasu, son of Dakkuru, Nadinu of Larak
of royalty, gold, the dust of his mountain(s), silver,
precious stones, maple and eluturVfood, cattle (and) sheep
[I received].
807. [Namri], Bit-Hamban, Sumurzu, Bit-Barrua, Bit-
fZualzash 1 ,
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 291
3. Second NimrM Slab (date, 728 B.C.)
808. Palace of Tiglath-pileser, the great king, the mighty
king, king of the universe, king of Assyria, king of Babylon,
king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four regions (of the
world), attentive to the beck of the god Bel.
809. From the beginning of my rule to my seventeenth
year of reign, (the tribes of) the Itu’, Rubu’, Hamarani,
Luhhatu, Nabatu, Hindiru, Ru’ua, Li’tau, Marusu, Pukudu,
— Arameans, all there were on the bank(s) of the Tigris (and)
the Euphrates, the Surappu and the Uknu, as far as the lower
sea of the rising sun, I captured, within the border of Assyria
I brought (them). My official I set over them as governor.
810. The lands of Bit-Silani (and) Bit-Sa’alli I trampled
down like a threshing(-sledge). Their people my hand cap-
tured. Sarrabanu (and) Dur-Illatai, their great cities, I
destroyed (so that they were) like mounds. Their [people] I
carried off to Assyria. I entered Babylon, [holy (pure) sacri-
fices] I offered before Marduk, my lord. Karduniash I brought
under my sway.
81 1. Upon the Ra’sani (tribe) of Chaldea I imposed trib-
ute and tax. The lands of Bit-Hamban, Bit-Sumurzu, Bit-
Barrua, Bit-Zualzash, Bit-Matti, the city of Niku (of) Tupli-
ash, the lands of Bit-Taranzai, Parsua, Bit-Kipsi, the cities
of Zakruti, Bit-Ishtar, Nishai, the land of Gizinkissi, the
cities of Sibur, Urenna, Niparia, the lands of Bustus, Ariar-
ma, Tar-lugale, Rua, the mountain, as far as the salt (alkali)
desert, the lands of Ushkakan, Shikraki, Til-Ashuri, which is
a fortress of the Babylonian(s), — these I brought within the
Assyrian border. My official I set over them as governor.
812. The tribute of all the mountain chieftains, as far as
Mount Bikni, I received. My official, Assur-daninanni, I
sent against the powerful Medes of the east. 5,000 horses,
people, cattle and sheep, without number, he carried off.
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292 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
813. Sarduri of Urartu revolted against me and made
common cause with Mati’-ilu, son of Agussi. Between Kish-
tan and Halpi, districts of Kummuhu, I defeated him. The
whole of his camp I took from him. He became frightened
at the awful brilliance of my arms and to save his life mount-
ed a mare and escaped to Mount Sibak, a steep mountain, at
night, and ascended it. Sarduari of Urartu I shut up in his
city Turushpa. Large numbers (of his men) I slew in front
of the gate of his city. My royal image I fashioned and set
it up before Turushpa. A stretch of 60 beru (double-hours) I
advanced victoriously through the wide Urartu, from north
to south, and found none to oppose.
814. The lands of Ulluba (and) Kirhu, which are at the
foot of Mount Nala, in their {text, its) totality, I conquered
and brought them within the border of Assyria. My royal
image I set up in the land of Eimmer. Inside the border of
Ulluba I built a city. Its name I called Assur-ikisha. People
of the lands my hands had conquered I settled therein. My
official I set over them as governor.
4. Fragmentary Annals Text {IIIR, 10, No. 2; Rost, op. cit.,
Plates XXV-XXVI)
813 the city of Hatarikka, up to Mount Saua
the cities of Gubla (Gebail), Simirra, Arka, Zimar-
ra, the cities of Usnu, Sianu, Ri’a-raba, Ri’a-sisu
the cities of the upper sea, I brought under my
sway. Six of my officials as governors I set over them. The
city of Rashpfma, which is on the shore of the upper sea,
the cities of . . . — nite, Gala’za(?), Abilakka, which
are on the border of Bit-Humria (House of Omri, Izrael)
the wide land of Naphtali, in its entire-
ty, I brought within the border of Assyria. My official I set
over them as governor. Hanfinfi (Hanno) of Gaza fled before
my weapons and escaped to Egypt. The city of Gaza I cap-
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 293
tured, his goods, his possessions, his gods I carried off. My
stele(?) and my royal image I had them fashion, in the
midst of his palace I set them up. I counted them as gods of
his land I established them. As for Menahem(?),
terror overwhelmed him, like a bird, alone he fled and sub-
mitted to me. To his place I brought him back and ......
.... silver, colored (woolen) garments, linen garments
great I received (as his tribute).
816. The land of Bit-Humria all of its people,
together with their goods I carried off to Assyria. Pakaha,
their king they deposed and I placed Ausi’ (Hoshea) over
them as king. 10 talents of gold, x talents of silver, as their
tribute I received from them and to Assyria I carried them.
817. Of Samsi, queen of Arabia, on a desert field (of bat-
tle), the warriors I slew. 1,100 people, 30,000 camels, 20,000
cattle, 5,000 (bundles?) of all kinds of spices, 11
jars of the property of her gods, her possessions, I
took from her, and she, to save her life, to the city of Bazu(?),
a place of thirst, like a jenny, she fled hunger
overcoming(P) the people of her camp before my
mighty weapons she became terrified and camels and female
camels before me she brought. A (political) agent
(overseer) I set over her.
818. The Bir’ai I brought in submission to my feet. The
Mes’eans the Temeans, the Sab’eans, the Haiappeans, the
Badaneans, the Hatteans, the Idiba’ileans
which are on the border of the lands of the setting sun, whom
no one knew of, and whose abode (place) is afar off, — the
glory of my majesty my majesty,
gold, silver, camels, female camels, all kinds of spices as their
tribute, with one accord they brought before me and they
kissed my feet.
819. Idi-bi’ilu I appointed to be agent (overseer) in Egypt
(Musri). The weapon of Assur I set up therein
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294 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
An image of my royal self I made and set it up there, as a
fitting (monument) of the power and might, which in the
name of Assur, my lord, I established over the lands
I marched to and fro and
5. List of Cities (I HR, 10, No. 2; Rost, op. cit., Plate XXVII)
820. Kukusanshu, an, arisa, anu,
, Urmushe, Elizanshu, Daikanshu, — ta-
anshu, — esanshu, cities on the sea of ; Lukan-
dashu, Tuarizu, , nishtu,
Lubsua, Danziun mesai, Izzi-
da, Mount Birdasha, zinia, huli,
, liansha, , Parisu, cities of the
land of Enzi and the land of Urartu.
821 Arpadda, Haurani, ,
Hazazu, Aribua, Nirabu, Ka , Tuka, ma, Saruna,
ta , Dinanu, ^Kaprabi, 1 cities of Bit-Adini, Ta — ri,
Hurmu, Anlama — , Urrus, Ur , Kulmadara,
Ha , Unniga, Arda, Mudru(?), Murfta, Tiris-
sa, Lapsitania, cities of the land of Unki; Hatarikka, Gubla,
Simirra, Arka, Usnu, Sianu, Ri’a-sish, Ri’a-raba, 1 Ara, (the
land of) Nukudina, Ashani, Iadabi, Ellitarbi, Zitanu, Tunu,
cities of the land of Hamath; Lab’u,
IV. MISCELLANEOUS INSCRIPTIONS
822. Inscribed bricks, a stone inscription and an inscribed duck
weight, containing the name and titles of Tiglath-pileser, were found
at Kalat Sherkat. On the brick inscription Tiglath-pileser is called
“son of Adad-nirari, king of Assyria.” Whether this is a bit of fiction
or whether we err in ascribing these texts to Tiglath-Pileser HI is still
to be determined. The texts are published in KAH, I, Nos. 21-23.
1. Palace of Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, son of Adad-
nirari, king of Assyria. (Brick) belonging to the floor of the
temple of Assur.
1 Note the names compounded with Ri’a the Egyptian R£ (sun-god).
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TIGLATH-PILESER III 295
2. Palace of Tiglath-pileser, king of Assyria, (slab) from
the urkarinu(boxwood)-house.
3. Palace of Tiglath-pileser, king of the universe, kin g of
Assyria.
V. STELE OF BEL-HARRAN-BEL-USUR
823. The inscription on an alabaster stele, discovered in 1894 at
Tell Abta, west of Mosul, and now in the Constantinople Museum,
throws an interesting light upon the unsettled period preceding the
reign of Tiglath-pileser IIL Bel-harran-bel-usur, successively high
chamberlain under Shalmaneser IV and Tiglath-pileser, founded a
city in the desert, west of Nineveh, built a temple, and endowed its
cult. And this official, not his royal masters, established the freedom
of this city from certain taxes and dues!
Text published by Scheil, RT, XVI, 176 ff., and republished by
Unger, Die Stele des Bel-Harran-beli-ussur.
824. Marduk, the great lord, king of the gods, who holds
the cord(?) of heaven and earth, founder of cities, builder of
metropolises, guardian of all the shrines of the gods; Nabft,
scribe of the gods, who grasps the shining stylus, who holds
the tablet of destiny of the gods, leader of the Igigi and Anun-
naki, dispenser of food, giver of life; Shamash, light of the
lands, judge of all cities, (protecting) shadow of the (four)
regions (of the earth); Sin, light-bearer(P) of heaven and
earth, bearer of the lofty horns, who is clothed in splendor;
shining goddess (Ishtar) of the stars, Inninna, to whom it is
good to turn, who receives prayer; the great gods, in their
totality, who hear his petitions, his helpers, his lords,
me, Bel-harran-bel-usur, the major-domo of Tiglath-pileser
(written over Shalmaneser), 1 king of Assyria, who fears the
great gods, they have sent and, — the mighty lords, at then-
exalted word (command) and by their sure grace, I founded a
city in the desert, in a waste. From its foundation to its top
I completed it. A temple I built and I placed a shrine for the
1 This important discovery of Unger’s shows that Bel-harran-b41-assur served
successively under Shalmaneser IV and Tiglath-pileser III.
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296 ANCIENT RECORDS OF ASSYRIA
great gods therein. Its foundation platform I made firm as
the mountains are set down {lit., poured out), I established
its foundation (walls) for all eternity. Dfir-Bel-harran-bel-
usur I called its name, — in the mouth of the people, and I
opened up a road to it. I inscribed a stele, the images of the
gods I fashioned on it, in the divine dwelling place I set it up.
A living {lit., portion, estate), offerings, incense(-offerings) I
established for these gods for all time.
825. Whatever later (prince), whose name Assur, Sha-
mash, Nergal and Adad shall name for preferment {lit., favor),
who shall rule the land, let him restore the ruins of that city
(and) temple, let not the living and offerings of these gods
come to an end (cease).
826. The freedom of that city I have established. Its
grain-levy shall not be taken, its straw shall not be taxed,
its water (let) none drain off into another channel; boundary
and boundary-stone let (none) destroy; the increase of cattle
and sheep let (none) seize; on the people dwelling therein,
let (none) impose feudal dues or taskwork; let none send out
any other man to be over them, let none impose (military)
service(?) upon them. And as for (this stele), do not remove
it from its place, do not set it up in another place, do not
bring it into a pesthouse {or, house of darkness), do not break
it to pieces, do not cover it with dust, do not throw it into
the water, do not bum it with fire, do not daub it with pitch,
do not blot out the inscription. Then the gods whose names
are written in (this) sculptured stele {lit., stele of reliefs), — in
warfare, battle and combat, (in) sickness, epidemic, plague
(and) pestilence, when you raise your hands (in supplica-
tion), they will hear your prayer, they will come to your aid.
827. Whoever destroys my inscription and my name, may
Assur, Shamash, Marduk and Adad, the great gods, into the
endless future {lit., the future of not being), have no mercy
upon him .
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SHALMANESER V 297
B. Shalmaneser V
828. On a fragment of a small cylinder (British Museum, K. 38345)
stands the only text we have from Shalmaneser V (see AJSL, XLI,
162 f.). The inscription is badly mutilated, but from the closing lines
it is evident that we are dealing with a memorial cylinder placed in
Ezida, Nabu’s temple at Borsippa. The text is published in CT,
XXXVII, Plate 23.
829 who did not bow in submis-
sion at his feet the mention of his name his
word(?) .... bringing .... hastily before him
those not obedient to my(?) command . . . that he
caused to be surrounded, surrounding the town the
god in whom he trusted with his help not draw
my(?) yoke who carried off ... . and was turning
(them, it) to himself (his own use) his word and
the mention of his name they did not fear, and did not dread
his rule overflowed his land(?) and laid it low
like a deluge his own fell upon him and
his life was no more I(?) carried off and brought
to Assyria.
830. [I am Shalmaneser 1 , the mighty king, king of the uni-
verse, king of Assyria, king of the four regions of the world,
viceroy of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, son of ,
king of Assyria; most precious scion of Assyria, seed of roy-
alty, of the eternal days of Borsippa, whose site(?)
had been damaged by the violence of the mighty floods.
its damage I repaired and strengthened its
structure.
May Nabff look upon that temple with delight,
F1BHTD Bf TBX U.S.A.
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